Page 464 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

462  SE VILLE

ENTERTAINMENT IN SEVILLE

Seville is universally famed as being a city of while the world’s most important flamenco
celebration and vitality, and this is reflected festival, the Bienal de Flamenco, takes place
in its two spring festivals, Semana Santa and in the city. Seville also has an enviable
Feria de Abril (see p437). In fact, the city has a selection of night spots, from the quiet,
year-round programme of interesting cultural more relaxed area surrounding the cathedral
events. The modern Teatro de la Maestranza to the buzzing bars of Calle Betis and the
and Teatro Lope de Vega, along with a Alfalfa district. For sports fans, a local derby
number of independent venues, host a range between Real Betis and Sevilla FC is an
of dance, music, theatre and arts festivals, absolute must-see.

travel and much more. La The Museo del Baile
Teatral, a bimonthly publication, Flamenco is a good place
focuses on theatre and dance. to learn about the origins
of the dance and current
developments, as well as
Flamenco see performances.
Flamenco embraces a broad
range of dancing, singing and
musical styles. One venue with Music and Dance
high-quality perform ances is The setting of Bizet’s Carmen,
Los Gallos. For something really Rossini’s The Barber of Seville
authentic, go to La Anselma and Mozart’s Don Giovanni
in the Triana quarter – the and Figaro, Seville is a city
traditional home of the gypsy of opera lovers. International
community. La Carbonería opera companies perform
is an informal bar where free at the elegant Teatro de
Decorative tile commemorating Seville’s flamenco shows are often la Maestranza starting in
Real Betis football club performed by amateur artists. December and lasting until
Promoting semi-professional May. This theatre is home to
Seasons and Tickets local artists, Casa de la the Real Orquesta Sinfónica
In Seville, the arts season Memoria in the Santa Cruz de Sevilla, whose performances
usually starts in September, district presents varied shows are highly regarded. The annual
lasting until June–July. From daily. As the venue is quite programme of the theatre
April to the end of the summer, small, it is recom mended you also includes chamber and
the streets and open-air stages buy tickets in advance, and classical music seasons.
also host shows. show up early to get a seat. In Teatro Lope de Vega and
Two of the city’s biggest Calle Betis, there are bars where Conservatorio Superior de
events – the Bienal de the public can watch and join Música Manuel Castillo are
Flamenco and the Bienal in with sevillanas, a popular two other remarkable venues
de Arte Contemporáneo – Andalucían folk dance. for classical music.
are biannual and take place
in the autumn in even-
numbered years.
Tickets for major sports
events, opera, concerts and
festivals should be booked
in advance – details can be
pro vided by the city’s tourist
information offices. Foot-
ball matches are very
popular, so buy these in
advance too.

Entertainment Guides
A monthly events guide,
El Giraldillo (www.giraldillo.es)
covers film, music, theatre,
clubs, art, sport, books, gay life, A live performance of flamenco at Los Gallos

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