Flamenco with Jose Mercé and Spanish Courses in Bilbao

On Thurday 7th January 2010, Spanish students at Instituto Hemingway have the opportunity to experience a flamenco show at the Arriaga Theatre.

José Soto Soto, a.k.a. José Mercé after the choir of the Basilica de la Merced where he sang as a boy, was born in the Santiago district of Jerez de la Frontera in 1955. His great-grandfather was Paco Luz and his uncle, Manuel Soto Sordera, so it would’ve been almost impossible for him not to develop a flair for flamenco. He moved to Madrid being only 13, and sang for great bailaores like Mario Maya, Carmen Mora, or El Güito. Later, Antonio Gades took him in; with his company, José toured Europe and the Americas.

Mercé worked with Gades from 1973 to 1987, appearing in Carlos Saura’s Bodas de sangre (Blood Wedding) and Flamenco. In 1983, he recorded Verde junco with Tomatito and Enrique de Melchor. This album was followed by Caminos reales del cante, Hondas raíces, and Desnudando el alma.

The year 1998 was a turning point in José Mercé’s career, when he released Del amanecer with guitar player Vicente Amigo. Other successful albums followed: Aire, Lío, Confí de Fuá, Lo que no se da, and Grandes éxitos, among others.

With his deep, smooth voice, José Mercé knows how to get to his audience’s heart, turning art into something genuine and new.

We will meet at the School, located in Calle Bailén in Bilbao at 7.30pm to go to this spectacular show. After the performance, we continue the evening in the Casco Viejo, to talk about the show and relax in one of the pinxo bars. As usual, those interested in taking part should let us know so that we can buy the tickets.