He won the award on a night of emotion after two years without being able to celebrate because of the pandemic
Saturday’s final was very competitive as the contestants were very even and only the nerves would dissolve, so there was a lot of emotion and even tears until the end when the winner was announced, the new “Golden Melon” of 2022 , after two years without having been able to hold the competition because of the pandemic.
Cordovan Antonio Haya «El Jaro» won this coveted prize awarded to the most complete singer endowed with 12,000 euros sponsored by Melones «El Abuelo».
The second prize of 5,000 euros, the «Molino de Lo Ferro» for the best sung ferreña, went to Paco Ocón de Córdoba. While the first prize of the group of Aflamencado songs went to Iván Segura Ruiz from Alicante. José Antonio Romero Pérez, from Cadiz, won first prize in the Cantes de Rhythm group, while the first prize in the Cantes Básicos group went to Francisco Javier Heredia Hernández from Jaén. These three prizes were good for 2,000 euros.
In order of performance, the first singer was Francisco Javier Heredia Hernández from Jaén, with the touch of Antonio Carrión, for malagueña, seguiriya and tangos. After him it was the turn of Iván Segura Ruiz from Alicante, with the guitar of Antonio Fernández «El Torero» who sang seguiriya and martinete, milonga and fandangos. Then Paco Ocón de Córdoba, with the guitar of «El Torero», left behind his cante por ferreña, soleá apolá and cartagenera. He was followed by Antonio Haya “El Jaro” from Córdoba, who, with the touch of Antonio Migueles, offered seguiriya, taranta and granaína. And the final ended with Cádiz-born José Antonio Romero «El Perrito» with the toque of Antonio Carrión por ferreña, seguiriya and bulerías.
During the evening, maestro Antonio Fernández Díaz, “Fosforito”, received the “Sebastián Escudero” Prize for Flamenco Excellence, in recognition of his outstanding work in supporting and disseminating this art and as an example of living history from cante jondo After the introduction and the brilliance that Noelia Jiménez, coordinator of the festival, who praised the figure of the teacher; the Mayor of Torre Pacheco, Antonio León, presented “Fosforito” with the commemorative bronze trophy, while the President of the Peña Flamenca “Melón de Oro”, Mariano Escudero, did the same with the nominative plaque. And the words of the great “Fosforito”, accompanied by his wife, Maribel Barrientos, touching, very sincere and sincere, in thanks for this new tribute, which so impressed the audience that they interrupted him with applause for a few minutes. He wanted to glorify the figure of Sebastián Escudero, founder of the festival. “I have the feeling that when you step into the rim of the cante and you notice the pounding of your heart beating wildly and you feel the blood flowing that pushes you to your throat, it’s a skin-deep feeling that no longer deceives. I am passionate about these ancient sounds, this warm and shocking music that moves us and touches our hearts». And remembering Sebastián Escudero, with whom he had maintained a close and flowing friendship all these years, he related the anecdote of that year that he acted, and in the front row looked at the Duchess of Alba, that lady with more titles of nobility than the King of Spain, and therefore physically vulnerable. Oh my God! Why did he leave his palaces in Seville and Madrid to come here! How he convinced her, what words our friend said to her, it is not known, but there it was! A hug dear friend Sebastian, glory wherever you are.
The evening of the final, while the jury deliberated, concluded with a performance by the Ballet Flamenco de Lo Ferro, with their show “Del Café Cantante al tablao”, directed by María Dolores Ros and with Cynthia Cano as assistant director. A very suggestive show and this is a continuation of the one a month ago: «From the Zambra to the Café Cantante», the company premiered at the National Theater of Cuba. In this new show, the narrator’s voice from the stage was created by the president of the Peña Melón de Oro, Mariano Escudero, who narrated the historical context. the ferreño ballet had as special guest the Cádiz-born bailaor Juan Ogalla, as well as the Cuban dancers Ricardo Quintana and Diancy Martínez, in addition to the dance corps formed by Antonio Muñoz, Blanca Herreros, Carmen Contreras, Mercedes Carrillo and Cynthia Cano, who dance with some from the bowling school, as well as tientos, caña, soleá por bulerías, tangos and alegrías; the cante was provided by Manuel Pajares from Extremadura and the guitarist, Juan Serrano. A lively and beautiful show that started with «El olé de la Curra», with the grace of bailaora Cynthia Cano, explosive in her movements and also majestic in her «caña» dance; at the end they won the applause from the audience and received a loud ovation. The last words to close the festival were from the Mayor of Torre Pacheco, Antonio León Garre, who ended with a ¡Viva el flamenco! Long live the iron!
The 47-year-old cantaor Antonio Haya Morales “El Jaro”, who grew up on a farm in his town of Cordoba, Villa del Río, continues to combine his work in the countryside with performances at Peñas and festivals. After receiving the award, he still felt very emotional and found it difficult to express himself. He was so overwhelmed with emotion that he couldn’t say a word after the delivery of the ‘Golden Melon’.
– How did you feel?
-Although I already have the cante prize for Ferreñas and other prizes at this festival. It’s a huge satisfaction.
– Did you expect to win it, did you come for it?
-I was willing to do it, whether they gave it to me or not is another thing, because nerves sometimes betray a lot.
– What are your flamenco credentials?
– Here today there was someone like Fosforito who is a teacher to me; I also like Enrique Morente, I’ve always liked him a lot.
– What about the youngsters?
– I like Antonio Reyes very much, he has an excellent palate. To me he is an artist.
– How did you find the level of the match?
Well, because all the people who normally stay deserve a prize. Despite a lot of fighting. And look, today it was my turn. Maybe next year it will be someone else’s turn.
– What do you think this prize can be used for?
– This is a great price. A “Melón”, who can help me here, next to La Unión, to present me again next year. It also has a lot of consequences for Andalusia and I think I will get more work.
– Which songs do you feel more comfortable with?
– I usually temper myself with soleá, then tarantas and the siguiriya which I usually leave for last. Although my three favorite cantes are the solea, the granaína and the malagueña.
– Who do you dedicate this award to?
– It goes to my wife and daughter. She hasn’t had time to call her yet. What a surprise!
– What do you think of fusion in flamenco?
– There’s everything. There are many people who want to do different things. I respect everyone. If a kid starts doing something weird, I don’t tell him it’s like this or that. You can give him some advice though. We are all learning.
Do you listen to other music genres?
– No. Just flamingo.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
