Two flamenco icons united on stage

The deep vocals of the living cante jondo tradition, the primal source of flamenco, will take centre stage tonight in a grand performance by singer Estrella Morente and guitarist Rafael Riqueni.

She is the daughter of legendary vocalist and flamenco rebel Enrique Morente, who grew up in Albaicín, Granada’s Moorish quarter. He is one of the most nuanced guitarists since Paco de Lucía, with the classic, sparkling elegance of his hometown of Seville in his strings. ‘Riqueni is not a guitarist, he is the guitar,' wrote the Spanish press when he staged his return after a long absence.

Two flamenco icons united in an intimate recital and tribute to their heroes, two unforgettable artists of the last century: Pastora Pavón, 'La Niña de los Peines' and 'guitar giant' Niño Ricardo. And not least to Enrique Morente himself, who was once in a golden duo with Riqueni, and whose innovative spirit shapes flamenco art to this day.

'Estrella & Rafael' present their eponymous album for the first time outside Spain in Amsterdam, during the Flamenco Biennial Intermezzo 2024. The album was conceived in a Seville prison, where Riqueni was serving a short sentence for an offence committed when suffering from a psychiatric disorder. A series of encounters between singer and guitarist led to a recital for fellow prisoners, and grew into an album about the healing power of music.