The singer from Extremadura Miguel de Tena (Spindles, 1976) participate this Saturday night on the terrace of the López de Ayala theater in Badajoz in the XIII Flamenco and Fado Festivalwhere he will share the stage in a double concert with the Portuguese flutist Rão Kyao.
It is not the first time that the singer from Extremadura has participated in this festival and at the López de Ayala he will have offered half a dozen concerts “on my own”, for the presentation of records and with his flamenco Christmas. Miguel de Tena will crumble tonight his ‘Longings’, an album that premiered just a year ago, at the beginning of July 2021, and that was forged during the pandemic. According to the artist, it is selling well, because it is on digital platforms and also the physical album.
Its title has to do with his memories, as it includes a flamenco Sevillian in collaboration with his sister, Carmen Tena, of the same name, “who tells about our parents and grandparents since we were children.” The album also includes ‘Un beso’ by Pepe Pinto, which both brothers sang “when we were children” and ‘Mi aceitunera’, recorded by Antonio de Patrocinio, father of their guitarist. «We have rescued it and given it a slightly lighter air», describes the cantaor. There are various songs of “yearnings”, but in addition, alegrías are not lacking in this latest work, the bulería of ‘Los Tres Puñales’, fandangos rocieros, naturals, bulerías por soleá, “a bit playing for all tastes, more purist and less purist”. Because Miguel de Tena is versatile. «Depending on the place where I sing and the public I face, I do purer cantes or more commercial cantes». He adapts and can do it «because my voice and the wide repertoire allow it, I do not pigeonhole myself into just one type of audience but I can adapt».
They say of Miguel de Tena that he is a serious singer. «Serious refers to the fact that I’m a flamenco singer who takes the profession seriously, it’s not that I’m unfriendly», he jokes. They don’t say it because of his character, but because he takes flamenco with respect.
Tonight’s will be a double concert, fado and flamenco, two types of music, close but bordering. Today there will be no opportunity to bring them together, although De Tena acknowledges that there are examples of fusion. “I think they are two different styles.” They are. The cantaor does not rule out trying Portuguese music at some point. “You could do some mixing.” His presence in the program supports it. The singer from Extremadura applauds the celebration of a festival that unites these two genres, two cultures. “Everything that is behind an effort and a job, is to be admired”. Fado, like flamenco, is alive and booming. New generations arise that cradle them, reinterpret and at the same time value tradition. «Flamenco is so universal and so extensive that everything can be done».
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