Alegrías (flamenco)

The alegrías are one of the varieties of flamenco singing and dancing.^[1] They are part of the group of cantiñas, which are the songs of Cádiz par excellence.

The copla or stanza of the alegrías usually consists of four octosyllabic verses or is the stanza that receives the same name: alegría. Its melody is of festive character and incites to dance. Its rhythm is conditioned by the meter of the soleá, but it differs from it in that its tempo is much faster.^[2]

The alegría seems to derive from the Aragonese jota, which took root in Cadiz during the French occupation and the celebration of the Cortes de Cadiz.^[3] That is why its classic lyrics contain so many references to the Virgen del Pilar, the Ebro River, and Navarre.^[4]

It is believed that Enrique Butrón fixed the current flamenco style of alegrías and Ignacio Espeleta who introduced the characteristic "tiriti, tran, tran...". Some of the best known interpreters of alegrías are Enrique el Mellizo, Chato de la Isla, Pinini, Pericón de Cádiz, Aurelio Sellés, La Perla de Cádiz, Chano Lobato and El Folli.^[5]

In Cadiz, the National Competition of Alegrías is held annually.^[6]

The dancers wear an ankle-length dress with ruffles at the bottom, adorned with ribbons or lace. The sleeves can be long or short, puffed or ruffled. The dancers wear beautiful mantillas embroidered with flowers and long bangs. They complete their attire with flowers, combs, coral earrings and high heels. The use of a bata de cola is also common.^[7]