Singer, Actress. She received notoriety in the 20th century as a Spanish flamenco and Andalusian copla singer. Born Dolores Jiménez Alcántara, she was called professionally "Niña de la Puebla,” which in Spanish means "The girl from La Puebla.” She was the daughter of a barber, who was an amateur singer. As an infant, she became blind from an infection caused by contaminated eye drops. In 1917 her family moved to Madrid, where she learned Braille and began music lessons. In 1931 with a performance at a festival in Seville, she had a successful debut wearing dark glasses and accompanying herself on guitar with her own song, "Los Campanilleros," which has become a classic in the flamenco songs. This followed with recital tours throughout Spain with her becoming even more popular after the Spanish Civil War. Her voice could be heard on the radio throughout Spain and with recordings on albums world-wide. The same year, she debuted in her first film, "Madre Alegría,” or “Mother of Joy.” She married another singer in 1934, Lucas Soto Martin, and had five children, two of whom became flamenco professionals, Pepe and Adelfa Soto. Her last film was "El Alma de la Copla" in 1965. Even into her golden years pass the age of 70, she continued to perform with a new show including: “Flamenco Opera” and “The Couplets Pass” in 1947, “The Feeling of the Couplet” in 1950, “Bulls and Song” in 1951, “Night of Coupleta” in 1953, “Thus Andalusia Sings” in 1954, “Heritage of Art” in 1955, “Flamenco Night” in 1963, and “Flemish Fantasy” in 1970. Suddenly, she died with a cerebral hemorrhage during one of her performances. Weeks prior to her death, she learned that she was to receive from Spanish King Juan Carlos the national honor of the Gold Medal for Merit of Fine Arts; she died days before the ceremony.
Singer, Actress. She received notoriety in the 20th century as a Spanish flamenco and Andalusian copla singer. Born Dolores Jiménez Alcántara, she was called professionally "Niña de la Puebla,” which in Spanish means "The girl from La Puebla.” She was the daughter of a barber, who was an amateur singer. As an infant, she became blind from an infection caused by contaminated eye drops. In 1917 her family moved to Madrid, where she learned Braille and began music lessons. In 1931 with a performance at a festival in Seville, she had a successful debut wearing dark glasses and accompanying herself on guitar with her own song, "Los Campanilleros," which has become a classic in the flamenco songs. This followed with recital tours throughout Spain with her becoming even more popular after the Spanish Civil War. Her voice could be heard on the radio throughout Spain and with recordings on albums world-wide. The same year, she debuted in her first film, "Madre Alegría,” or “Mother of Joy.” She married another singer in 1934, Lucas Soto Martin, and had five children, two of whom became flamenco professionals, Pepe and Adelfa Soto. Her last film was "El Alma de la Copla" in 1965. Even into her golden years pass the age of 70, she continued to perform with a new show including: “Flamenco Opera” and “The Couplets Pass” in 1947, “The Feeling of the Couplet” in 1950, “Bulls and Song” in 1951, “Night of Coupleta” in 1953, “Thus Andalusia Sings” in 1954, “Heritage of Art” in 1955, “Flamenco Night” in 1963, and “Flemish Fantasy” in 1970. Suddenly, she died with a cerebral hemorrhage during one of her performances. Weeks prior to her death, she learned that she was to receive from Spanish King Juan Carlos the national honor of the Gold Medal for Merit of Fine Arts; she died days before the ceremony.
Bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni
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