Estrella Morente opens Suma Flamenca 2011. And everything points to this inaugural concert being laden with feeling. The recent loss of her father and maestro Enrique Morente, a regular at this festival in Madrid, will mark a recital simply entitled ‘Morente en concierto’. The cantaora returned to the stages at Sadler’s Wells in London as well as at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona and, following a tour around Central Europe, she attends this date in the Spanish capital. In the words of Débora Garber, the Granada-born artist will offer a concert which runs “from the subtle simplicity of the festive cantes of her childhood to the depths of yearned-for love”. The event is on Thursday, June 9th at the Teatros del Canal in Madrid.

Belén Maya, 'Bailes alegres para personas tristes' (Photo Daniel Muñoz)

Following the inaugural concert, the Sala Roja of the Teatros del Canal will become the hub of the Madrilenian festival’s first phase. On Friday, June 10th, bailaoraRocío Molina, the latest winner of the National Dance Prize, will present her new creation ‘Danzaora’. On Saturday, within the ‘Flamenco en la Frontera’ Series, Niño Josele will share the bill with Hungarian singer Márta Sebestyén. And on Sunday, Diego el Cigala will do the same with Fanfare Shavale, ‘Los virtuosos vientos de Rumanía’. On Tuesday, June 14th, Belén Maya will offer the flamenco dancing show ‘Bailes alegres para personas tristes’ side by side with Olga Pericet. And this first series of concerts will be closed by cantaor Arcángel.

The center of attention will move on to the Teatro de la Abadía, where shows will be performed from June 16th to 21st such as ‘Sefarad’ by Idan Raichel and Diego Guerrero, ‘Concierto gusto’ by Rafaela Carrasco, ‘Metáfora’ by Lole Montoya and ‘Del origen a la unión’ by María Toledo, ‘Conversaciones pendientes’ by Ángel Rojas and ‘Ensayo flamenco 2012’ by Carmen Linares. The offer will also be shared out to neighborhood stages in the city, such as the Paco Rabal Cultural Center in Palomeras Bajas and several tablaos, as well as in towns in the region like Buitrago de Lozoya where, at the Patio de Armas of the walled-in grounds, Tomatito will offer ‘Luz de guía’. The closing concert will have the exceptional stage of the Teatro Real, where on June 29th, Mauricio Sotelo’s contemporary classical music show ‘Muerte sin fin’ will be presented which, as a tribute to Enrique Morente, will include collaborations by Cañizares, Arcángel and La Moneta.

Niño Josele in concert (Photo Daniel Muñoz)