Antonia La Negra

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Moreno.

Antonia La Negra
In October 2017
Background information
Birth name	Antonia Rodríguez Moreno
Also known as	Antonia La Negra
Born	1935/1936 Orán, French Algeria
Died	7 March 2018 Seville, Spain
Genres	Flamenco
Occupation(s)	Cantaora and bailaora
Instrument	Vocals

Antonia La Negra, artistic name of Antonia Rodríguez Moreno (1935/1936 – 7 March 2018), was a Spanish Gitana cantaora and bailaora (flamenco dancer). Wife of the bailaor Juan Montoya, mother of the singer Lole Montoya, of the duet Lole y Manuel, and grandmother of the singer Alba Molina.

Biography

Daughter of a Jerez-born mother and Seville-born father, her parents emigrated to French Algeria, where Antonia was born. She later moved with her family to Tangier, Spanish Protectorate of Morocco, learning to speak Arabic fluently.

Aged 10 or 12, she moved with her family to her father's native Triana, Seville. At age 16, she wed a cousin, bailaor Juan Montoya. Some time later, with her brothers-in-law and a niece, Carmelilla, she formed La Familia Montoya in the 1970s, which successfully presented the most intimate and spontaneous facets of flamenco. Her art was reflected in Triana (1976), En familia (1978), Macama jonda (1983), El ángel (1993) and Un gitano de ley (1997). She participated in two audiovisual summits of flamenco: El ángel and Rito y geografía del cante. La Negra has been one of the main figures of cante jondo, excelling her talent in palos such as flamenco tango and bulería.

External links

• Video of Antonia La Negra