José Mercé Returns to Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla with Three Young Guitarists
José Mercé graced the stage of the Teatro de la Maestranza on 20 September during the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla, marking his return to the festival. The cantaor, who hails from Jerez and was born in 1955, performed alongside a five-member chorus and three guitarists: David de Arahal (born 2000), José del Tomate (born 1998), and Manuel Cerpa (born 2003). Titled Toquen a arrebato, the concert alluded to Juanito Mojama's soleá and highlighted the risk of flamenco fading away. Mercé aimed to revive a collaboration from a decade ago with guitarists Tomatito, Pepe Habichuela, and Alfredo Lagos. He expressed gratitude to the audience in Seville, singing without a microphone, which created a profound silence. His family heritage includes great-grandfather Paco de la Luz and uncle Manuel Soto "Sordera."
Key facts
- José Mercé performed at the Teatro de la Maestranza on 20 September during the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla.
- Mercé was accompanied by three guitarists: David de Arahal (born 2000), José del Tomate (born Almería, 1998) and Manuel Cerpa (born Chipiona, 2003).
- The concert was titled Toquen a arrebato, partly a homage to Juanito Mojama's soleá.
- Ten years earlier, Mercé closed the Bienal with guitarists Tomatito, Pepe Habichuela and Alfredo Lagos.
- The repertoire included soleá, seguiriya, malagueña, soleá por bulería, tientos and tarantos.
- Mercé sang without a microphone at one point, creating a profound silence in the theatre.
- Mercé stated that listening well to flamenco is more difficult than singing it.
- His family lineage includes great-grandfather Paco de la Luz and uncle Manuel Soto "Sordera".
Entities
Artists
- José Mercé
- David de Arahal
- José del Tomate
- Manuel Cerpa
- Tomatito
- Niño Miguel
- Pepe Habichuela
- Alfredo Lagos
- Juanito Mojama
- Paco de la Luz
- Manuel Soto "Sordera"
Institutions
- Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla
- Teatro de la Maestranza
- La Tempestad
Locations
- Jerez de la Frontera
- Spain
- Sevilla
- Almería
- Chipiona