Since that fateful November 13th of last year 2025, a number that was unlucky for many and in the month of flamenco, cante He limps and doesn't have a key. He took it with him. Antonio Fernandez Diaz 'Fosforito'And tons of anecdotes, a wellspring of wisdom. He imparted his mastery not only as a performer, but he was also a great scholar. Yes, a flamenco expert, one might say. A truly great singer, one of the greatest of all.
The authors of the new book, which is being released on June 1st in Malaga, agree –Fosforito. Since the beginning of time—in the master's classification, if it can even be pigeonholed into any mold without bursting at the seams. He was a flamenco singer jondoEven his aesthetic could be likened to that of Gypsy flamenco singers, or to what everyone imagines in their sonic imagination as such. He was a non-Gypsy, but he admired equally anyone who sang well, regardless of pedigree or DNA. He didn't dwell on the melancholy of the past, thinking that the past was always better. He was up-to-date. Because he was a die-hard fan who knew both the old and the new. He listened to everything. He knew how to bring out the best in everyone. The current bearer of the last Golden Key of the Cante He was in love with dance. And with the guitar, which he held almost daily because it rested like another member of the family in the rooms of his house, where he always received any interested party, curious onlooker, follower, artist… who came with the intention of talking and listening to him talk about flamencoHe got up and went to bed with the cante He was wearing his boots. And he died with them on. flamencoWithout a doubt, writing was his great passion, to which he bequeathed a work of incalculable value and a vast quantity of beautiful lyrics of his own authorship. Many were those who sought him out to write their letters. canteAnd the air continues to sway them to the chests of discerning aficionados. He was an extraordinary lyricist. And a lecturer. He had it all. Moreover, those who knew him are full of praise for his character. He was a very good person.
They discussed this and many other things in a chat a few days ago in a charming corner of Malaga that Ramon Soler has turned it into his temple and refuge flamenco and other hobbies. The walls of his place exude the echoes of parties and intense conversations; one could breathe in the wisdom of centuries and the perfume left by vinyl records, shellac records, CDs, and printed books that yellow with time.
We arranged to meet so that our colleague could... Alvaro de la Fuente, who already published a beautiful story about the brilliant man from Puente Genil, interviewed the four magnificent ones, if you'll excuse the expression, because to write this new work, nephew and uncle joined forces: Ramón Soler and louis solerMay God have him in his glory; Fernando Sanjuán Caramanzana, Francisco Cabrera Villatoro y Paco Roji DoñaAnd there he was. ExpoFlamenco filming the pleasant conversation so that you can soon have it available on our television channel.
According to the prologue, Luis Soler Guevara, coordinator of the publication and now from the balconies of heaven, "is the author of some twenty books, mostly dedicated to flamencohighlighting the title Antonio Mairena in the world of seguiriya and soleá, awarded with the Journalism and Essay Prize 'Antonio Mairena' of the foundation that bears his name, and which currently serves as a reference for art scholars flamenco».
"Fosforito would get up and go to bed with the cante He was wearing his boots. And he died with them on. flamencoWithout a doubt, it was his great passion, to which he bequeathed a work of incalculable value and a vast number of beautiful lyrics of his own. (...) He was an extraordinary lyricist. And a lecturer. He had it all. Moreover, those who knew him are full of praise for his character. He was a very good person.
"Fernando Sanjuán, with a higher degree in flamenco guitar and flamencoLogia, has composed various shows such as De flamenco… A dream, Where words live o In stridesIn his teaching career, he has been part of the faculty of the Rafael Orozco Higher Conservatory of Music in Córdoba, the Marienmma Royal Professional Conservatory of Dance in Madrid, the Manuel Carra Professional Conservatory of Music and currently belongs to the teaching team of the Ángel Pericet Higher Conservatory of Dance, the latter in Málaga.
"Ramón Soler is the author and co-author of more than a dozen books on flamenco and traditional lyricism, in some of them he analyzes the works of flamenco singers such as Mairena –two books together with his uncle Luis–, the Jacket, the Pen, the Repompa, Chacon, Manuel Torre, Thomas Pavon y Angel of Álora».
And they complete the team of authors of this ambitious publication, which aims to recognize and make visible the work of the artist of cante flamenco Antonio Fernández Díaz, Francisco Cabrera Villatoro, contributor to various publications on flamencoand Paco Roji Doña, author of several books on flamenco about figures of Malaga artists such as Ángel de Álora, La Cañeta, La Repompa and Malaga reel».
They all discussed Fosforito's virtues and analyzed his contributions. They reviewed his life and artistic career. from the beginning of time –third of one of the canteThe book, featuring over 400 images, unearths previously unpublished curiosities about the maestro, including invaluable statements made by the subject himself during his lifetime and throughout his career. This highly anticipated publication focuses on his life and work, analyzing his extensive discography "from a stylistic and musicological perspective" and shedding light on his journey from his rise to fame at the age of 23, when he swept all the top prizes in the music industry. First National Competition of Cante Jondo From Cordoba in 1956, inaugurating 'neojondismo', which left behind the Flamenco Opera.
They collaborate in its publication Lo Ferro-Flamenco, Málaga Foundation, Save More and the Hotel Las Acacias from Puente Genil (Córdoba). I won't reveal the rest of the interesting details of the discussion, inviting you to watch it when it becomes available on our platform. I also encourage you from this platform to buy and read the book, and to attend the official presentation this afternoon, June 1st, at 19:30 p.m. at the Rectorate of the University of Málaga (UMA), located at Avenida Cervantes, number 2, on Paseo del Parque in Málaga. The event will feature the collaboration of... cante and the touch of Francis Bonela y Bonela Chico.
When the singer clenches his fists tightly at the end of a canteHe tries to hold on to the soul that escapes with the scream, that tearing that expresses our tragic essence. (Phosphorite).
Enjoy. ♦
Fosforito's book presentation
📍 Book presentation:
🗓️ Monday, June 1st
19:30 p.m.
🏛️ Rectorate of the University of Malaga (UMA)
📍 Avenida de Cervantes, 2. Paseo del Parque, Málaga
✍️ Authors:
• Luis Soler Guevara
• Fernando Sanjuán Caramazana
• Ramón Soler Díaz
• Francisco Cabrera Villatoro
• Paco Roji Doña
🤝 With the collaboration of Francis Bonela and Bonela Chico.
An essential publication for understanding the artistic and human greatness of the master from Puente Genil and his extraordinary contribution to flamenco.
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