Cristina Soler Wins First Prize at Alcobendas Flamenca New Talent Contest

Flamenco singer Cristina Soler won the Alcobendas Flamenca Nuevos Talentos First Prize. Juañarito won second prize. Both acts are scheduled to perform on Thursday May 29th at a gala in which José Enrique Morente will appear as guest artist.

Cristina Soler, 25 years old, began her career twelve years ago in her hometown, Huelva, and studied at various schools, including Amparo Correa and Fundación de Arte F. Cristina Heeren.

Cristina Soler has several national and international awards, including the Otros cantes de Málaga, Granada, Córdoba y Huelva award at the 52nd International Festival del Cante de las Minas in La Union (Murcia). In addition to the New Talent award, Cristina Soler has also won the Audience Award.

The second prize was awarded to 20 year old Juañarito, from Madrid. He’s the son of flamenco singer Juañeres and Chelo Pantoja, one of the most important flamenco dynasties in Jerez, an old gypsy family that has had a lot of success, with artists such as Terremoto, Manuel Sordera, and El Gómez de Jerez.

The two winners will perform alongside flamenco singer, guitarist and composer José Enrique Morente. He’s the son of unforgettable master Enrique Morente and dancer Aurora Carbonell , “La Pelota” . Jose Enrique Morente, who belongs to the new generation of talented flamenco artists, had his solo debut at the Suma Flamenca (Flamenco Summit) Festival in Madrid.

The gala will take place at the Paco de Lucía Auditorium in Centro de Arte Alcobendas (Alcobendas Art Center) on May 29 at 19:30. Tickets are on sale. Price is 4 € at entradas.com

The Alcobendas City Council convened this online contest for the first time this year as part of its Alcobendas Flamenca programming. The contest is envisioned as a space of discovery and dissemination of emerging flamenco talents at a local, national and international level. The contest featured a prestigious jury of flamenco experts, incluiding Antonio Benamargo, Juan Verdú, and Teo Sánchez.

Alcobendas Flamenca has become a classic event for flamenco fans. This year, the series will present two leading acts: Carmen Linares and Tomatito performing at the Teatro Auditorio Ciudad de Alcobendas on May 30 and May 31 respectively.

Alcobendas is a city in Madrid’s northern suburbs.