(Slide show) It was a bit like the Spanish version of the Music Hall in the auditorium early on Sunday evening as two young singers sang requests and joked and chatted with the audience.
“This is how it should be,” my companion told me, “this is the original popular music of Spain: the “copla.”
The delightful, Maribel Castillo, who had at least three stunning changes of costume during the two hour show, told the audience: “We are here at your command.” The spectators were delighted as Maribel and her companion, Raúl Palomo, performed the most popular and famous of the coplas.
Coplas are songs full of emotion and passion about bull fighting, love and even a plea from a child to his father “not to drive too fast.” The technique is extremely difficult with long notes which require incredible breathing techniques and which, in mid song, receive appreciative “oles” and applause.
The two singers were accompanied by two dancers and a female Flamenco guitarist, Mercedes Lujan.
There was a special welcome too for three British members of the audience: “How wonderful that they support the traditional music of Spain.”
It was a delightful evening presented by this young troupe who are travelling around the country promoting this traditional music which springs from the roots of the population.
