Esmeralda Rancapino or the cotton candy

The young flamenco singer from Chiclana captivated the fans who gathered en masse at the Tertulia Flamenca El Pozo de las Penas in Los Palacios (Seville).

by Kiko Valle

May 1th 2026

Reading time: 3 mins reads

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Rancapino Emerald She was in charge of opening the 5th Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival of the Flamenco Gathering The Well of Sorrows from the Sevillian town of Los Palacios. At just twenty years old, he captivated the fans who gathered en masse and with great anticipation, packing the peñaThe young flamenco singer from Chiclana sang in her ear, demonstrating that elegant vocal ranges that don't seek the effect of those who shout can also tug at the heartstrings, move and overwhelm, clinging to the idea that the cante It's not for the deaf.

The innocent naiveté of the one who is still seen as a child turns into an immature but accurate lament that caresses in the melismas of well-executed phrases –sometimes on the tangent of the tuning– and in attacks with courage when the thirds ask for the squeeze. Sweet as cotton candy in the lows and swaying, bravely charging forward without fear of breaking if necessaryEsmeralda gradually warmed up, weaving together a short repertoire of palos but profuse and full of nuances of all colors, especially those with brownish tints.

This gypsy woman from Rancapina presents herself as a champion of her legacy and comes to perpetuate for posterity the records of a saga that she left in an extraordinarily good position, with exquisite taste in the craftsmanship she brings to the cante.

"The young flamenco singer from Chiclana sang in the ear, demonstrating that elegant vocal ranges that do not seek the effect of those who shout can also tug at the heartstrings, move and overwhelm, clinging to the idea that the cante "It's not for the deaf."

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recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

Black-and-white photo of a woman singing passionately, reaching forward with her hand.

Woman with long dark hair in a black top, mouth open in a distressed expression, reaching toward the camera; a decorative green bottle is visible on the right.

Female singer with long dark hair, raising her arm and singing passionately on a stage in a black outfit.

Woman with dark hair and black clothing shows distress, eyes squeezed shut and fist raised in front of a white wall.

Antonio Higuero. Recital by cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

1. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

2. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

3. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

4. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

5. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

6. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

7. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

8. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

9. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

10. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

11. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

12. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

13. Antonio Higuero. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

Antonio Higuero. Recital by cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

14. Antonio Higuero. Recital of cante By Esmeralda Rancapino. V Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival. El Pozo de las Penas Flamenco Cultural Gathering, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. April 30, 2026. Photo: Kiko Valle

The Jerez guitar of Antonio Higuero He cradled her in silks. Very neat in execution and jondo in the falsettos. He embellished a very flamenco accompaniment without excess, ceding the spotlight to Esmeralda while still shining with his seemingly simple touch. He was spot-on in the pickups, the passing tones, and the transitions. In his place, forceful, with great flavor. palmas They sounded just right to envelop the sweetness of a throat that doesn't understand the lies sometimes hidden in a shout, pretending not to cover it up, because here they sing a cappella, without a megaphone. They put them in time. Edu Gomez y Luis de Pijote.

With these elements, it began with joyful splashes, splashing the foam of La Barrosa beach in Chiclana. And then it was gone. from San Fernando to Cádiz remembering from time to time Camarón and his grandfather's ways RancapineHe tempered it, knowing what he was saying. Then he did the same for the miners and finished them off in the second part, delicately sketching the Malaga taranta of Fernando de TrianaShe poured out syrup while simultaneously packaging, weaving together the Cadiz variations of the soleá, among many others that you can hear in the video, without a single wasted note, brimming with details that shaped her style. And she overflowed with sweet gypsy spirit in tangos, swaying in an assortment of confectionery. She meandered at the beginning of the bulerías, overflowing with rhythm and complete with a little footwork. Then she remembered Valderrama, who's steering my boat, The Paquera o Luis de la PicaAnd there, glimpses of Jerez guitars shone through, evoked by Higuero's drone. Before the ovation, Esmeralda performed a couple of fandangos with a Caracol-esque flair, leaving the audience on their feet after a memorable recital, perfect for those who appreciate a good show.

Credits
recital of cante by Esmeralda Rancapino
5th Manuel Herrera Rodas Flamenco Cultural Spring Festival
Flamenco Cultural Gathering El Pozo de las Penas, Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville
April 30th 2026
CanteEsmeralda Rancapino
Guitar: Antonio Higuero
PalmasEdu Gómez and Luis de Pijote