It was in May 1956. The son of some popular restaurateurs from Madrid wanted to go it alone and acquired a premises in the central Austrias neighborhood, between Las Vistillas and San Francisco el Grande, near La Paloma, halfway between the Puerta de Toledo and the Royal Palace. A former dairy farm that he transformed into a flamenco venue flamenco, following the path taken by ZambraThe other legendary Madrid venue, opened two years earlier. Tablaos were the modern version of the 19th-century café cantante, and in a Spain submerged in the Francoist dictatorship, which used the flamenco as a claim to strengthen national identity, and thus cement its aspirations to redeem itself, projecting a friendly image abroad that led to the bland slogan "Spain is different".
The Renaissance that was beginning to take place flamenco with Edgar neville with his instructive film Goblin and mystery of the flamenco, from 1952, the no less instructive Hispavox Anthology directed by Perico the one with the mole of 1954, the publication of the book Flamencolodge de González Climent in 1955, inaugurating the "Flamenco" science, the Cordoba Competition of 1956, which renewed the best of the Granada competition of 1922 promoted by Failure, Gypsy stew from Utrera of 1957, which inaugurated the era of summer festivals. All the flamencoThey wanted to row together, after the disastrous civil war and the tragic postwar period, and a ray of hope appeared on the horizon. It was then that the artists united to survive together in the face of an uncertain future, and meanwhile, Manuel del ReyThe young entrepreneur, who was called [name omitted], was attentive to what was happening in the art world. jondo With a clear goal: to achieve the perfect union between top-quality gastronomy, a hallmark of Spain, and the Andalusian art of singing, playing, and dancing. flamencoAnd he certainly succeeded. He transformed his home into one of the most popular spots for locals and tourists alike, especially illustrious foreigners, making a visit to El Corral an absolute must to truly confirm that you'd been to Madrid. The world of cinema, music, the most fashionable artists, businesspeople, diplomats, and politicians—no one wanted to miss the chance to lose themselves in the night at number 17 on Calle de la Morería, intoxicated by art and fine dining.
"The world of cinema, music, the most chic artists, business people, diplomats and politicians, nobody wanted to miss getting lost on the night of the 17th on Morería Street, drunk on art and good food"
And if in the fifties you wanted to be somebody in the flamencoIf your desire was to become a star, it was essential that you manage to get on stage at Don Manuel's place. Madrid, which, as he sang ChaconIt is the court, and since the early years of the 20th century it was also the capital of flamenco And all artists who considered themselves artists had to go through Despeñadogs and climb to the plateau to stand in the Forum. All the greats did it. For the opening, Del Rey hired none other than Pastora Empire, by then almost retired; after her they passed through there Antonio Gades, La Chunga, Fosforito, María Albaicín, Lucero Tena, Serranito, Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera, Manuela Vargas, El Güito, Mario Maya, La Paquera, Lola Greco, Javier Barón, Diego el Cigala, José Mercé or Antonio Canales.
And a girl from Cordoba also arrived in Madrid who, with her mother, had decided to make a name for herself in Madrid as a flamenco dancer, with the stage name of Blanca La PlateraShe was fourteen years old and was just starting out in the Caves of Nemesio. Manuel del Rey hired her and she became part of the Corral troupe. They ended up getting married and starting a family.
Since the founder of the legendary establishment passed away in 2006, White of the King, who was thus baptized forever, with her children Juan Manuel y ArmandoThey run the oldest flamenco venue in the capital. A top-tier tablao, which Blanca manages artistically, carefully selecting the artists; one only needs to consult the programming, while their children maintain gastronomic excellence until they have achieved a star Michelin, having as head chef, chosen from among the best, the man from Bilbao David GarciaThose of us who have worked our fingers to the bone singing and playing in places that serve food know how difficult it is for an artist to compete with the hustle and bustle of a restaurant, that's why at El Corral the schedules They reveal the care they take with this matter. The show is offered at least an hour after dinner begins, giving guests time to savor the food and drink before enjoying the flamenco.
From ExpoFlamenco We want to congratulate the Del Rey family for having managed, for seventy uninterrupted years, to maintain quality in all aspects, with an emblematic establishment for the flamenco In Madrid, Spain, and throughout the world. Long live the Corral de la Morería. ♦
