cantaora

A cantaora is the term used for a female flamenco singer, the counterpart to the male cantaor. The word derives from cantar, with the feminine suffix -ora. In flamenco performance, the cantaora is a principal vocalist who delivers song in dialogue with the guitar (toque) and sometimes dance (baile). The singer's voice, timbre, phrasing, tempo, and ornamentation—often marked by melismas, vibrato, and microtonal inflections—contribute to the emotional expressiveness of the cante. The repertoire spans the various flamenco palos, from the deep cante jondo styles such as siguiriyas and soleá to lighter forms like alegrías and tangos.

Historically, women have been integral to flamenco cante, though social constraints and stage access shaped their visibility. By the early 20th century, cantaoras began achieving wide public recognition and shaping the art form alongside male singers.

Notable cantaoras include Pastora Pavón (La Niña de los Peines), Concha Piquer, Lola Flores, La Paquera de Jerez, and Estrella Morente. Each contributed to expanding technique, repertoire, and the public profile of flamenco singing. In contemporary flamenco, the cantaora tradition continues in both traditional and innovative formats, with performers who blend cante with other influences while preserving core cante techniques.