Aduares
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Island
La Palma
Career
Founded in 1997

In brief

Folk ensemble from Breña Alta (La Palma), founded in 1997 to preserve and spread traditional Canarian music and dance. With dance corps, string ensemble and voices, it has run an annual folk festival since 1998 that has hosted groups such as Los Gofiones.

Related figures

  • Luis Ortega Abraham
  • Carlos Martín Brito
  • José Eduardo Martín

Works and repertoire

  • Los Dragos Gemelos
  • Conde de Cabra
  • Pasacatre
  • Berlina de Tijarafe
  • La Raza Vive
  • Malagueñas del Agua
  • Habanera Embrujada
  • Fúlgida Luna
  • Folías del Salto
  • San Isidro

Group history

The Aduares Folk Ensemble was founded in 1997 in Breña Alta, taking its name from an old natural water spring in the municipality. Its creation was preceded by nearly two years of preparing the dance corps and string ensemble, and of raising funds for traditional costumes. It made its public debut in June 1997, during the festivities of San Pedro Apóstol, on the eve of the Romería de San Isidro de Breña Alta, under the sponsorship of journalist and folklorist Luis Ortega Abraham. A year later it marked its first anniversary, on 19 June 1998, joined by the group Los Gofiones.

Why it matters

Aduares is one of La Palma’s reference folk ensembles, with its own festival now in its late twenties of editions, which has bridged Palmerian folklore with groups from other islands and regions. It has represented the Canary Islands at international CIOFF-circuit festivals in Italy, Portugal and Ibiza, as well as at national gatherings in Castilla-La Mancha, Asturias, Galicia and Gran Canaria. Its work rescuing and spreading traditional airs from La Palma has made it a cultural landmark of Breña Alta.

Style and repertoire

Its repertoire spans isas, folías, malagueñas, seguidillas, berlinas and pasacatres, alongside traditional romances, popular Canarian song and emigration-related music, with a particular focus on airs native to La Palma. It combines pieces from the traditional songbook with original compositions, such as those on its third album, “Los Dragos Gemelos”. The ensemble is organised into three sections: voices, strings (rondalla) and dance.

Transmission and legacy

The ensemble currently has around 46 members across its three sections (voices, strings and dance). Musical direction is now in the hands of Carlos Martín Brito, who also directs the Municipal Folklore School of Breña Alta and other Palmerian groups, following the long tenure of José Eduardo Martín, historic musical director for nearly 25 years and honoured at the group’s 25th anniversary in 2022. Transmission is also sustained through the ensemble’s own annual festival, which since 1998 has introduced new generations to local folklore alongside guest groups from within and outside the Canary Islands.

Key milestones

  1. Foundation and public debut

    The Aduares Folk Ensemble is founded in Breña Alta and makes its debut in June during the festivities of San Pedro Apóstol, on the eve of the Romería de San Isidro, sponsored by Luis Ortega Abraham.

  2. First Aduares Festival

    On 19 June 1998 the ensemble marks its first anniversary with its own festival, joined by the group Los Gofiones, launching what would become an annual folk festival in Breña Alta.

  3. “Los Dragos Gemelos” release

    Aduares presents its third studio album, “Los Dragos Gemelos”, in Breña Alta, recorded at Audiomaster Studios (Santa Cruz de La Palma) with a prologue by timple player and researcher Benito Cabrera.

  4. 25th anniversary and tribute to José Eduardo Martín

    The ensemble celebrates its 25th anniversary with the XXV Aduares Festival at the Breña Alta Sports Pavilion, paying tribute to José Eduardo Martín after nearly 25 years as musical director.

  5. Representing the Canary Islands in Castilla-La Mancha

    Aduares travels to Castilla-La Mancha to represent the Canary Islands and La Palma at the International Folklore Festival of Villanueva de Alcardete and the National Folklore Festival of La Mancha.

  6. 29th Anniversary Festival

    The ensemble marks 29 years of activity with the XXIX Anniversary Festival at the Breña Alta Municipal Sports Pavilion, with the parranda La Aldea (Gran Canaria) as guest group.

Sources and links