Olga Pericet: La Leona © Paco Villalta

Flamenco Festival London opened at Sadler’s Wells last week with Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras presenting her latest show Alma – bringing together her two loves: flamenco and bolero.

The guitar is always a fundamental part of all flamenco and Flamenco Festival 2023 is featuring Rafael Riqueni, Niño Josele, Miguel Angel Cortés with José María Gallardo del Rey, as well as the essential guitarists in all the dance performances.

The fundamental role of the guitar in flamenco is especially acknowledged in Olga Pericet’s La Leona – (the lioness) – referring both to the famous guitar by Antonio de Torres, built for Julián Arcas in 1856 and the animal. Olga Pericet’s La Leona is on Tuesday 11 July 2023. Her guitarists are José Manuel León (yes, lion) and José Tomás. Tickets

The flamenco guitarist Rafael Riqueni presents Herencia on Wednesday 12 July 2023, 8.30pm. Tickets. Rafael Riqueni began performing at the age of twelve and has continued to win awards for his outstanding work as a performer and a composer ever since. His 2020 album Herencia was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2021. His knowledge and love of classical music has lead him to compose works such Suite Sevilla for guitar and orchestra, premièred in 2021. His earlier Suite Seville from the 1990s was recorded in duo with José María Gallardo del Rey. The classical guitarist José Maria Gallardo del Rey, who has been collaborating with flamenco guitarists throughout his career will be performing with flamenco guitarist Miguel Ángel Cortés presenting Albéniz Flamenco on Saturday 15 July 2023, 6pm. Tickets

The flamenco guitarist Niño Josele presents music from recently released album Galaxias which he recorded in collaboration with Chick Corea (1941–2021) and Rubén Blades. Niño Josele performs on Friday 14 July 2023, 8.30pm. Tickets

On Thursday 13 July 2023, Rafael Riqueni will be giving a masterclass, which is open players at all levels, as well as audience. In the first half, Riqueni will teach technique and compositional methods. In the second half, individual students can play, with Riqueni providing feedback on the composition, skills and technique. The masterclass is at Studio 9, Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London, NW1 3FE, 11am–2pm. Booking.

Flamenco Festival London 2023 continues until 15 July 2023 with:

Olga Pericet presents La Leona on Tuesday 11 July 2023, 7.30pm. Tickets

Manuel Liñán presents Amor Amado Amén on Wednesday 12 July 2023, 6pm. Tickets

flamenco guitarist Rafael Riqueni presents Herencia on Wednesday 12 July 2023, 8.30pm. Tickets

Estévez / Paños y Compañía presents La Confluencia on Wednesday 12 July 2023, 7.30pm. Tickets

Mercedes de Córdoba presents Sí, Quiero on Thursday 13 July 2023, 7.30pm. Tickets

Gala Flamenca featuring Manuel Liñán, Alfonso Losa, El Yiyo and 85-year-old Carrete de Málaga on Friday–Saturday 14–15 July 2023, 7.30pm. Tickets

flamenco guitarist Niño Josele presents Galaxias on Friday 14 July 2023, 8.30pm. Tickets

 Julio Ruiz presents Tocar un hombre on Friday 14 July 2023, 6pm. Tickets

guitarists José Maria Gallardo del Rey and Miguel Ángel Cortés present Albéniz Flamenco Saturday 15 July 2023, 6pm. Tickets

Álvaro Romero and Pedro da Linha present Yeli Yeli  Saturday 15 July 2023, 9.30pm. Tickets

for full programme: Flamenco Festival London 2023

Flamenco Festival London 2023 with Director Miguel Marín, is at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Ave, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4TN. Ticket Office Tel. 020 7863 8000, sadlerswells.com

© Thérèse Wassily Saba 2023