Ismael de la Rosa, widely recognised by his stage name “El Bola,” has emerged as a rising star in the world of flamenco music. Hailing from the vibrant city of Seville, this young and talented singer is making waves with his captivating performances.
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| Ismael de la Rosa |
From the streets of Triana to stages around the world, and even capturing the attention of the legendary Madonna, this talented artist recently spoke by phone with the Spanish newspaper Diario de Sevilla about his experiences, aspirations, and unique journey in the world of flamenco.
Ismael’s family tree reveals profound ties to the cultural fabric of flamenco, beginning with the Fernandez family of Triana.
He continues to be rooted in the customs established by his forebears despite the genre’s shifting terrain. His seductive voice reverberates with spectators, creating an almost emotional experience, and he exemplifies the modesty and passion that constitute flamenco.
About a year ago, Ismael’s career took off when he performed buleras at C. Tangana’s performance in Seville in front of thousands of people. The trip culminated with this stunning performance at the historic Plaza de Espaa, where he was able to share his craft with an audience of 20,000. As they said their goodbyes and prepared to leave on their adventure to Latin America, they were treated to a magnificent evening full of gratitude and a feeling of home.
Ismael’s career has seen radical changes during the last year. Farruquito, dancer Alfonso Losa, and musician Yerai Cortés are just a few of the famous performers he has worked with. Combining these two aspects of his job has been a fantastic experience for him. It has energised him and helped him become more established as a flamenco artist.
Ismael de la Rosa is part of a new wave of flamenco musicians like Yerai Cortés and Israel Fernández. They appreciate the genre’s history but aren’t afraid to forge their own way ahead by putting an emphasis on heart above form.
I explain how the Paraphrase has developed through the years and how it relates to the Flamenco. There is now a strong connection between flamenco and urban music and popular culture, elevating the genre to new heights of prominence. Even though the resultant music is different from the classics like Lole and Manuel, Ismael recognises the value of success in reaching new listeners, which he believes is essential to the future of flamenco.
Ismael delves into the past to tell the tale of his family’s flamenco-loving Fernández ancestors in Triana. It was a period when weddings extended three days, celebrated with renowned people like Mairena and Pastora Imperio as godparents. The Triana of yesteryears was completely different, with unpaved streets and a feeling of community that has grown through the decades.
Ismael left Triana’s streets and has since been to the United States and Japan. In Japan, he’s been pleasantly surprised by the amount of knowledge of flamenco. Cities like Osaka and Tokyo are centres for this fervent art form, where audiences understand the intricacies of classic flamenco.
The United States, especially New York and Los Angeles, are also fertile ground for flamenco, and Ismael told a fascinating tale about the time he performed for the great Madonna, who was completely enthralled.
Ismael’s life story exemplifies the strength of flamenco, a genre that has changed and grown through the years while ever losing its foundation in the past. His fascinating performances have won over audiences all over the globe, and he is seen as a representative of a new generation of musicians who are committed to maintaining the spirit of flamenco while carving their own paths. Ismael “El Bola” de la Rosa, with every song, unites the generations and spreads the enchantment of flamenco to new audiences.
Source: Diario de Sevilla