"Centenari d’Antonio González Batista 'el Pescadilla'” Concert

Flamenco / Rumba – Barcelona

For all audiences



A plaque at the corner of Carrer de la Fraternitat and Carrer de la Llibertat commemorates the birth, a century ago this year, of Antonio González Batista. He unwittingly inherited his father’s nickname, “El Pescadilla”, as well as his talent for playing the guitar. Catalan Roma through and through, he experienced the Barcelona of Carrer d’Escudellers and the surrounding areas, buzzing with the sounds of flamenco paired with rock, son, jazz and plenty of rumba in a melting pot of melodies that would shape his approach to music.

This Barcelona was combining its art with new sounds and opening many doors to vocals and guitars, and El Pescaílla was a star of the scene. He then brought this new flamenco to Madrid when he met the famous flamenco performer Lola Flores, who recognised the potential of this new style and helped propel it to popularity. Thanks to El Pescaílla, this new era of flamenco introduced rumba and a rich fusion scene that would become known as “new flamenco”.

Barcelona is home to his living legacy, with flamenco and rumba sounds that have a hint of the Antilles. You’ll be able to enjoy it all during this musical journey that pays tribute to “El Pescadilla”, celebrated by new generations of local musicians. Joining the party are dancer Antonia González Amaya, El Pescadilla’s daughter with his first wife, and his grandson, guitarist Carlos Carmona González.

A hundred years after his birth, come celebrate El Pescadilla’s contributions to flamenco with his family, friends and musical successors.

Fotografía: Jordi Pol