Solea (or
Soleares in the plural) is an
Andalusian gypsy term signifying
loneliness.
Adapted from the Spanish word
soledad (
solitude), the
Solea is an example of
cante jondo or "deep song" in the
Flamenco repertoire. As such, its lyrics are always serious and its themes profound. The form dates back at least 400 years, and verses identical to the songs heard today can be found in the works of
Miguel de Cervantes.
Appropriate to its
roots, many
aficionados consider
soleares to be "the Mother of Flamenco."
a single verse,
por soleares, by way of example:
La muerte a mi cama vino
Death came to my bedside
y no me quiso lleva;
but did not wish to take me
no estaba cumplio mi sino
as my destiny was not complete.
y al irse me eche a llora
On its departure I began to weep.
The most respected interpreter of
Soleares in the world today is
La Fernanda de Utrera,
who has spent her entire life mastering the form.