If in 2024 we dedicated our first Guitar Festival to the Madrid maestro Ramón Montoya and in 2025 the second edition to the Navarrese maestro Sabicas, in this year 2026 the image and reference of the TThe third Flamenco Music Festival will feature the Sevillian maestro Manuel Serrapí “Niño Ricardo”
According to José Blas Vega, El Niño de Ricardo (1904-1972) was a student of his father (an amateur guitarist) and his teacher, Antonio Moreno, from Córdoba. In 1917, at the age of thirteen, he performed at the Salón Vigil in his hometown. The following year, he debuted at the Ideal Concert in Seville, performing alongside his teacher. Hired by Javier Molina, he moved to the Café Novedades, alternating these performances with others in towns throughout his province, together with Niño de Alcalá and other musicians. He also performed with La Niña del Patrocinio at the Cine Miramar and, in 1925, at the Hotel Alfonso XIII.
He debuted in Madrid at the Teatro Pavón and embarked on his first tour of Spain with La Niña de los Peines. His first recording was made in 1927, accompanying La Niña de los Peines and her brother Tomás, thus beginning his extensive discography.
The civil war caught him in Jaén, along with Canalejas from Puerto Real. He reappeared in Seville in 1939 with La Niña de los Peines and El Sevillano, embarking again on a tour with these artists and Pepe Pinto, until 1941, later moving on to Conchita Piquer's show.
In 1945, he underwent throat surgery and his colleagues paid tribute to him in Madrid. That same year he joined Juanito Valderrama's company, with whom he remained for ten years, including trips abroad, one of them to... Mexico, where he played with Sabicas at the El Patio venue in 1949.
His first solo performance took place in 1955 at the Teatro San Fernando in Seville, as part of a tribute to Fernanda Romero. In 1956 he was hired to play at the Seville flamenco venue El Guajiro and joined Manolo Caracol's company in 1959.
From 1961 to 1968 he belonged to Antonio Molina's company, with whom he traveled to Venezuela and other American countries, Belgium and France, where he gave solo concerts. Upon his return, he received the Ramón Montoya trophy from the National Union of Entertainment Workers.
Among the flamenco singers who have recorded on discs with their guitar accompaniment, the following stand out, in addition to La Niña de los Peines and Tomás Pavón, José Cepero, Pepe Marchena, Manuel Vallejo, Bernardo el de los Lobitos, Rengel, Niño de la Huerta, El Gloria, El Carbonerillo, Pepe Pinto, El Sevillano, Juanito Valderrama, Antonio Molina, El Chocolate, Enrique Morente, El Lebrijano, Antonio Mairena, Canajelas de Puerto Real and Niño de la Calzá. These albums are in addition to his recordings as a concert artist. He collaborated on the music for numerous shows. flamencosy is the author of the corresponding songs such as El emigrante and El inclusero, two great hits by Juanito Valderrama.
Niño Ricardo acknowledged Javier Molina de Jerez as one of his teachers, from whom he would learn how to accompany the CanteTo Ramón Montoya for his arpeggios, his harmonies and his sweetness, and to Manolo from Huelva for his rhythm, grace and style, especially his way of playing bulerías.
His style of composing and playing the guitar gave rise to "Ricardismo," one of the most important guitar schools, to which such outstanding artists as Serranito, José María Pardo, Ramón de Algeciras, Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar, Ricardo Miño, Rafael Riqueni, Vicente Amigo, Manolo Franco, and Alejandro Hurtado have belonged or still belong. Guitarists are still legion today. flamencoThey recognize his influence and his mastery.
Antonio Benamargo, Director of the Madrid Guitar Festival
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