How do you fuel your inner fire and maintain a magnetic presence that commands attention? Whether you are an artist working on a new project, a busy professional facing high-stakes decisions, or a scientist working diligently towards the next breakthrough discovery, Espíritu Flamenco Perfume unlocks your passion and says with you to the world: “I am here”.

How La Soleá and El Flamenco Inspired the Creation of Espíritu Flamenco Fragrance

One day, while watching “Portrait of Spain” from the marvelous series “Great performances” aired by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), I heard for the first time the raw, lamenting, grueling, deep sounds of “la soleá”, the “mother” of flamenco. The sounds, rhythm and verses of that song reached my soul in a profound way. I still can hear it and feel it. I also see the images of ancestral Andalusia that the “Great performances” presented, its blend of cultures, vibrant art, fiery colors and flavors, harmonious architecture and landscapes from which this music is born. It is that deep, unfiltered passion conveyed by the la soleá heard in that show that Espíritu Flamenco expresses. To understand it, we need to understand its spirit and the essence of el flamenco, its successor.

About El Flamenco and La Soleá. Flamenco is a unique Andalusian art (music, dance and style) developed by Romani (Gitanos) in southern Spain. The origin of word Flamenco is still object of debate. One hypothesis suggests that the word flamenco was first used to identify the Calé Romani people of Spain. Another view suggests that the word Flamenco is derived from the Arabic word Felah-Mengus (meaning "wandering peasant"). Irrespectively, when Romani arrived in Andalusia in the 15^th century, they were exposed to the rich, traditional local Spanish music with its Moorish, Christian and Sephardic influences. This mixture of different cultural influences led to the creation of the flamenco art. Recognizing its value and originality, UNESCO declared Flamenco in 2010 as one of the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". 

As Espíritu Flamenco is originally inspired from la soleá, we will talk briefly about it here, and its relationship with el flamenco.

The word la soleá, used by the local flamenco dancers and singers, derives from the Spanish word soledad (loneliness). La soleá is structured in “coplas” (short poems) formed from 3-4 “stanzas” (verses). The singers combine different coplas on the spot, making each singing unique, irreplaceable. 

Following la soleá, flamenco style emerged. Notably, the oldest mention of flamenco music is mentioned in the book Las Cartas Marruecas (The Moroccan Letters) published in 1774 by José Cadalso. Interestingly, the earliest documentation of soledades is recorded in 1862 by the Spanish poet  Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. 

There are several flamenco musical styles called palos (cantes). They differ through their compás (rhythm), mode (tonality), stanzas (verses) and geographic origin. La soleá (plural- las soledades), considered the “mother” of flamenco, is one of these palos (styles).

Importantly, for a cante (song) to be called flamenco, it needs that all the following aspects are present at the same time: a flamenco tonality and rhythm; a flamenco performer: cantaor(a) – vocalist, tocaor - guitarist, sometimes also a bailaor(a)-dancer); and flamencura, the deep, real, intangible emotion that connects the artist with the audience and all elements with the artistic act performed there, at that moment.

Among the 3 types of flamenco cantes (songs), cante jondo (deep) is considered the Andalusian song style that expresses most accurately the deep feeling of flamenco.  Several examples of soledades can be found here.

Both verses and music of la soleá and el flamenco explore themes of love, solitude and search for meaning in life. These are emotions and experiences that are common to all of us. Moreover, it often conveys a sense of pain, even despair. The true artistry lies on the balance between passion and restraint.

All in all, la soleá and el flamenco are more than songs and artistic styles. They express the Andalusian way of feelings, being and living. 

                       Interior fountain, Alhambra Palace, Andalusia 

How We Captured the Flamenco Essence. To capture the deep passion and fire of the flamenco spirit, we tested dozens of variants of the initial formulation. Using 99.4% natural origin essential oils (by ISO 16128) in the perfume concentrate, diluted in 99.8% natural alcohol, we were able to create the version that we feel encompasses the dark, intense passion and sensuality of the Flamenco spirit.

We balanced fresh, citrus top notes, ambery and incense scents (base/middle notes) to reconstruct through fragrances this intense deep, passionate feeling and to capture the spirit and soul of the south of Spain and its timeless music.

Why Olyantis Espíritu Flamenco is For You. Inspired by the unforgettable Andalusian music, colors, architecture and landscape, Espíritu Flamenco is unapologetically raw, deep, mysterious, warm and solar, all at the same time. Scents of rich woods like sandalwood, amyris and vetiver, ephemeral iris and violet, sacred myrrh incense crowned by the mysterious clove, illuminated by the fragrant, ripped oranges embedded in sensual musk and tonka, transport you back in this world full of life, passion and soulfulness.

Ready to unleash the passion? You can try Espíritu Flamenco here.