Spanish flamenco diva in Taipei stop

“It’s everything,” she says from her perch as one of the world’s most sought-after Spanish singers. “It’s my whole lifestyle.”

Tonight on the stage of the National Concert Hall in the Chiang Kai-Shek Cultural Center, Linares promises to give one of the richest and most authentic flamenco recitals Taiwan audiences will ever see.

“There is a lot out there today that calls itself ‘flamenco,’ but isn’t,” she says in her native Spanish. “Like any other genre of music, flamenco is of course ever-evolving, but just like classical or jazz music, it is also very distinct.”

Linares also wanted to dispel any myths that flamenco is related to tango — or other music from Latin America.

“Flamenco is totally separate from Latin music,” says the singer who has been singing professionally for some 40 years, “the only likeness is in the language.”

At its roots, flamenco actually has more Byzantine, Muslim and Jewish influences in its lyrical chants and format.

But overall, flamenco — which finds expression in the three forms of dance, song and guitar — is dominated by the folklore and gypsy culture of its birthplace, the southern Spanish region of Adalusia.

Historians estimate that the multi-disciplinary art form has only been collectively depicted as flamenco in the past two centuries.

But in that time, it has spread to become a key part of Spain’s cultural identity as well as an international sensation.

“Many interested people, including Asians, are now in Spain studying the techniques of flamenco dance or guitar playing, and they’re even winning lots of prizes,” Linares says, smiling politely.

But singing flamenco is different matter altogether, she continues.

“It is not only a question of language but also culture and background, just like it would be difficult for me to sing Chinese Opera,” she says of the music that traditionally requires strong vocals and “mucho” expression.

Instead of leaning on techniques and formula, Linares says flamenco singers go only with what is in the heart.

“Our songs are about emotion,” she says. “Every possible emotion we go through in our lives from love and happiness to sorrow and despair.”

Non-Spanish speaking audiences worldwide have noticed and remarked upon Linares’ ability to express the sentiments couched in her Spanish-language songs.

For example, her concert tonight is called “Un ramito de locura” or “A grain of insanity” and includes song titles such as “I Want Your Name to be Forgotten,” “Lips of Ice” and “He Died in Lima.”

Linares is also one of the only flamenco greats to perform with a symphony, including a Lincoln Center recital with the Philharmonic Orchestra of New York.

Tonight, she has brought no dancers, but will sing along with guitar, bass and percussion. Linares has agreed to sign autographs and meet with the audience after the performance.

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