MUSCAT: The exhilarating rhythms and fast footwork that are the feature of the art of flamenco will be featured in the Royal Opera House Muscat’s upcoming Flamenco Days, which takes place November 19 to 24.

The special event will begin with the Flamenco Symposium on November 19 at 7pm. It will include an overview to the art of flamenco, examining its origins and history, different disciplines, and a debate about whether it is folklore or popular art. The discussion will be led by flamenco scholar, Dr. Jaime Trancoso, Ph.D., with flamenco legend, Paco Peña.

From November 20 to 24 there will be events featuring four diverse aspects of flamenco, including the Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company, singer Estrella Morente, the Miguel Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre, and guitarist Tomatito.

"Each of the ensembles and musicians is totally different, but they're all fabulous and extremely energetic, and creative. I encourage people to come to all four events, as it will show different influences on flamenco music, such as the Arab origins and gypsy influences,” said ROHM’s Director General Christina Scheppelmann.

The Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company, who performs for two nights, has a program “Quimeras” that unites flamenco with African music and dance from Senegal and Guinea. The rhythms and dances of each culture will be highlighted, both together and separately.

Spanish singer Estrella Morente, who has a powerful and expressive voice, will sing a variety of flamenco songs and other Spanish songs that explore a range of human emotions. She was raised in a creative family, her father a musician and her mother a dancer. The musicians who will accompany her at the ROHM include her brother, uncles and cousins.

"The other groups present more traditional flamenco. We know that flamenco is popular in Oman so we thought a festival would be welcome," Scheppelmann added.

Fans of traditional flamenco dancing will love the Miguel Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre. Their performance “Rhythms with Soul” will explore the past 150 years of flamenco history. It is a contemporary interpretation of old melodies and rhythms.

The final concert features Latin Grammy-Award winning guitar legend Tomatito, whose concert will include some classical flamenco guitar and some songs influenced by Latin jazz. Tomatito is from a family of famous Spanish musicians, and he started performing at the tender age of 12.
The Flamenco Symposium, which is a free ticketed event, takes place November 19 at 7pm. Paco Peña will perform November 20 and 23 at 7:30pm. Estrella Morente’s concert is November 21 at 7:30pm. Miguel Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre’s performances are November 22 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Tomatito will play November 24 at 7:30pm.