Rondeña

“Rondeña” belong to Malaga's singing group. “Rondeña” existed before flamenco, joining it in the 19th century. Its origin is in “fandango” from Malaga, more specifically in ” bandolás”. Some authors suggest that this name comes from the nightly rounds. Other authors believe that it comes from the city of Ronda, as "rodeña" was originated in the homonymous mountains.

 

“Rondeña” has greatly extended through Andalusia during the 19th century. “Rondeña” singing has evolved in recent times with with a decrease in melismatic ornamentation. Its composition ad libitum (without "compas"). Lyrics are related to countryside life. Its structure is a couplet of four eight-syllable verses, usually consonant rhyme. They normally turn into five by repetition of the second one, but also without repetition. Dance displays a rhythm of wild abandon. Others have used the rhythm of the "taranto", which has many similarities but, being rondeña, more open and evocative.

 

Among its higher representers we can find: Miguel Borrul senior and Ramón Montoya, the first one to ennoble the genre. In the 20th century, we can highlight singers as "Fosforito", Antonio de Canillas, Alfredo Arrevola, Juan de la Loma, Jacinto Almaden "EL Gallina", Antonio Ranchal, Enrique Orozco, Candido de Malaga and Jose Menese. At the guitar, Manolo Sanlúcar.