A powerful female voice combines regional tradition and contemporary creativity to rise above the noise

En Tierra de Hombres, translating to ‘In a man’s world’ in English, is a powerful and expressive flamenco work from vocalist Esther Merino. Hailing from Extremadura in western Spain, Merino is a devoted ambassador of her region’s song traditions. She brings together festive, rhythm-driven styles and lesser-known local forms, placing flamenco from Extremadura at the heart of her performance.

Alone on stage and surrounded by four male performers, Merino explores multiple modes of expression: singing for dance, leading from the front, performing solo and engaging in shared dialogue. With a stark black-and-white aesthetic, the focus falls entirely on her voice, opening a space for reflection on women’s presence, resilience and creative authority in today’s fast-moving world.

A refined and accomplished cantaora, Esther Merino commands an extensive repertoire, from the tangos and jaleos of her homeland to soleá, siguiriya, bulerías and mining songs. Deeply rooted in tradition yet expansive in scope, her flamenco speaks a universal language marked by depth, control and unmistakable identity.

Header image description: A woman sings with a strong emotional expression on a dark stage. She wears a black gown with long floaty sleeves and a ruffled skirt. Holds her arms out to her sides.

Header image © Elena Matas