María Moreno y Benito Bernal

María Moreno, dancing

The dancing of María Moreno (Cádiz, 1986) is the product of pure evolution based on a free-flowing, contemporary style deeply rooted in flamenco tradition. In 2017, she won the Best New Artist Award at the Jerez Festival with Alas del recuerdo, and in 2018, the Giraldillo Breakthrough Award at the Seville Biennial with De la Concepción. In 2020, she released More(No) More, with which she won the Giraldillo al Momento Mágico of the Biennial, and published the book Yo bailo, together with the photographer Susana Girón. Her 2022 show o../o../.o/o./o. (soleá) was performed in Amsterdam, Barcelona and France and, since that same year, she has also been staging the fla - menco happening Verso libre in unconventional venues. In June 2025, she premiered Magnificat at the Madrid Biennial. She has performed on stages such as London’s Sadler’s Wells and the New York City Center.

Benito Bernal, guitar

Benito Bernal (Villanueva de los Castillejos, 1998) is one of the rising stars of modern day flamenco guitar. Born to a musical family, he learnt his first notes from his mother. At the age of 16, he began his studies at the Huelva Professional Conservatory of Music, going on to complete his training at the Cordoba Higher Conservatory, where he won the Niño Miguel Award. In 2022, he made his solo debut at the Seville Flamenco Biennial with De la mano de Dani de Morón. He has accompanied artists such as Arcángel, Miguel Poveda, María Moreno and Eduardo Guerrero, and has performed on stages and in festivals all over Spain. His style, which he himself describes as ‘slightly anarchic’, combines sophisticated technique with passion and a constant quest for new sounds.

La Perla de Cádiz

Founded in 1979 in tribute to the great Cadiz-born cantaora Antonia Gilabert Vargas, the La Perla de Cádiz peña flamenca is today one of the city’s leading institutions. Under the leadership of Paco Real, it works to safeguard and promote traditional flamenco, with a particular focus on the styles of Cadiz, such as alegrías, tangos, bulerías, soleares and saetas. Its programming includes series such as Viernes Flamencos as well as iconic competitions such as the International Alegrías Dance Competition and Tanguillos of Cádiz. The club also organises educational programmes, talks, exhibitions and conferences in collaboration with the City Council and the Chair of Flamencology. It also works to safeguard the living memory of La Perla through talks and studies coordinated by experts such as Félix Rodríguez, establishing itself as an active centre firmly committed to flamenco tradition.