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Find out all about our flamenco and opera shows in Barcelona at Palau Dalmases.
Find out all about our flamenco and opera shows in Barcelona at Palau Dalmases.
In our flamenco show in Barcelona we have excellent professional flamenco guitarists (or “tocaores”) such as Francisco Díaz, Rafael Fernández and José Santiago among our cast of artists. If you haven’t had the chance to see them live yet, you can come to Palau Dalmases and enjoy their music in the daily shows of our flamenco show in Palau Dalmases.
The flamenco guitar is one of the most popular variants of Spanish guitar. It is not surprising, considering that flamenco is considered a Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
As you know, the flamenco guitar is an indispensable part of any tablao and it seems impossible to conceive a flamenco show without this instrument. Although dancing may be the most striking aspect of a flamenco performance, everything revolves around the song and the emotional voice of the cantaores (flamenco singers). The guitar was introduced to accompany singing, but today the mastery of the flamenco guitar is an art in itself.
As some of you may already know if you have read our article on facts about flamenco, it has its origins in the 18th century approximately with clear Moorish and Spanish influences. These roots and mix of cultures are clearly noticeable in the sound of the flamenco guitar. However, at that time, singing was the only protagonist. The guitar was incorporated later on, followed by other instruments such as flutes, the cajón or violin, which are more typical of nowadays flamenco.
Experts agree that the guitar entered the flamenco scene in the 19th century, thus accompanying the cante, which until then had been completely a cappella. In fact, there are still some cantes that are performed without musical accompaniment.
Although there are different opinions about the exact date, it is known that the first documented reference of a flamenco guitarist dates from 1850 with Francisco Rodríguez “El Murciano”.
It was not until the 20th century that guitar and flamenco merged, thus consolidating the flamenco art we all know. In addition, with the introduction of the flamenco guitar, it helped to structure and regulate the schemes of flamenco singing, giving inputs and outputs, and to order and to win new melodies.
They may look the same at first glance, but flamenco guitar and classical guitar are different. Just as in the case of electric guitars, where we can find different types, shapes, with more strings and with different sounds for different styles, the same thing happens to classical guitars. Moreover, the music composed for a conventional guitar has nothing to do with flamenco guitar music.
These subtle variations make the flamenco guitar get its characteristic sound. They are less sonorous and offer a lower volume than the traditional Spanish guitar, but the sound it produces is more percussive and brilliant. As it is sharper and drier, it allows it to adapt better to the demands and characteristics of flamenco.
Spring is around the corner and at Palau Dalmases we are getting ready to welcome the good weather in Barcelona. We want people to be able to enjoy our flamenco show in Barcelona to the fullest this spring and, taking into account that the days now are longer, we have increased the number of daily shows both on weekdays and weekends.
The ticket price of Palau Dalmases’ flamenco show is 30€ and includes one free drink. This spring, don’t miss the best flamenco show in Barcelona, with TripAdvisor’s certificate of excellence. You have more chances than ever, so there’s no excuse. Get your ticket easily on our website.
In spring, the opening hours of our jazz and opera concerts also change. As you know, Palau Dalmases offers every Wednesday Jazz sessions with the duo of Melisa Bertossi (saxophone) and Matias Muñoz (piano). Free entrance.
On the other hand, Thursdays are meant for opera. The Petita Companyia Lírica de Barcelona offers classics of Mozart’s best-known operas, Verdi, among other famous composers, in a playful and didactic format. Tickets cost 20€ and can be bought here.
Enjoy the best music and art this spring in Barcelona and discover the best flamenco, jazz and opera shows in the city. In addition, not only will you be able to see experienced flamenco artists in Barcelona, but you will also be lucky enough to find yourself in an authentic baroque palace with a very interesting history.
To be aware of all the news related to our shows, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook.
Flamenco is an art of Andalusian origin that integrates dance, singing and flamenco guitar, although nowadays you will also find the well-known “cajón flamenco” and also a flute. It is a musical genre known for its great emotional intensity and is distinguished by its graceful movements of arms, energetic tapping, intense laments and guitar strumming.
In Palau Dalmases, as you well know, we offer every night our flamenco show in Barcelona, with professional artists who have a successful career and who have performed on a long list of tablaos in Spain and abroad.
The first truthful information about the arrival of flamenco artists to Barcelona and artists in the city who offered their performances, origins from the second half of the 19th century, although it is believed that there has already been flamenco activity in the past. So, although many may believe otherwise, the historical relationship between Barcelona and flamenco is a hundred years old, as well as fruitful. Between the 19th and 20th century Barcelona became one of the first flamenco spots in Spain.
One of the most famous flamenco facts is its origins. The origin of flamenco dancing and singing is still unclear today. Although it is confirmed that the flamenco as we know it dates from the 18th century, there are many different theories of how it was born, as it has earlier musical and dance characteristics.
The most widespread and accepted hypothesis is that flamenco originated in Andalusia as a result of the coexistence of Muslims, Gypsies, Castilians, immigrants, Jews and local people. African influences were also incorporated, coming from the black Africans who passed through Andalusia and also from the Caribbean who emigrated to Spain. Thus, flamenco is the union of different races and cultures; a harmonious mixture of different lifestyles.
There are several theories, and all of them are really funny!
Photo: @jzlib01
These multicultural influences can be seen reflected in all their aspects, both in dance and in the vocals, where we can distinguish:
In flamenco dance, on the other hand, there are influences of traditional Spanish dances, Indian dances brought by gypsies, and African dances with more sensual movements.
If you have already seen a flamenco show, you will know that the performances are intense, full of emotion. Flamenco is an art that explores the deepest feelings, such as pain, loneliness, anguish, despair, love, lack of love, passion and joy and these are transmitted through voice and movement. There’s always an emotional element.
Did you know all these facts about flamenco? Follow us on our Facebook page so you don’t miss anything about this art, and if you are in Barcelona and want to enjoy an intimate and exciting flamenco show, don’t hesitate to come and see us at Palau Dalmases!
Calle Montcada, 20
08003, Barcelona
(+34) 933 10 06 73