Diana Navarro returns to Malaga with her latest show, De la Piquer a la Navarro, 21. Subtitled Coplas of the 20th Century, the Malaga artist demonstrates a living continuity of a genre that still resonates in today’s soundscape. She positions herself as the baton’s heir, carrying forward an immortal art form. A steadfast defender of musical tradition, Navarro invites audiences on a solid journey that spans the most direct piano poetry to bold, surprising fusions, proving once again that copla transcends time.
This project marks the natural continuation of a discography that now includes a dozen albums and builds on Navarro’s recent success on stage. She began as a theater actress portraying Doña Concha Piquer in the musical En Tierra Extraña, a production written and directed by Juan Carlos Rubio. The show toured in more than 60 cities and became a milestone in Navarro’s career as a vocalist and performer from Huelin. She is now presenting her new album at Teatro Cervantes on February 20.
In 2021, Navarro made her mark as an actress in Spanish theater, bringing Concha Piquer to life in En Tierra Extraña. The tour reached over 200 performances, drew 100,000 spectators, and earned a nomination for the Max Awards as actress revelation. The experience inspired a new project: a tribute album that pays homage to Piquer and to the coplas of the 20th century, reimagined for the 21st century. It is a journey through copla, tracing Piquer’s influence while infusing electronic rhythms into her songs.
What has the figure of Concha Piquer conveyed to Navarro? Studying Piquer to inhabit the character revealed many facets of the artist. Piquer was an ambitious entrepreneur and feminist ahead of her time. She left at 14 for Broadway to learn American discipline, achieved success there, and returned at 19 to lead a company of more than 100 people. She loved deeply and moved through a male-dominated world with a fierce independence. That spirit is the essence Navarro sees in Piquer, a sentiment she recalls from how Piquer was described in interviews, where the strength she exuded was unmistakable.
The other protagonist of this performance is the copla itself. Why should audiences who are not familiar with it explore this repertoire? Many newcomers bring a misconception that copla is linked to a particular era or political moment. Yet the art form stands apart as a political-free, populist expression of freedom and poetic voice. It is a musical landscape that speaks to the people, independent of time and politics.
Copla is a paradox of contrasts, sometimes adored, sometimes misunderstood. Navarro explains that when interpreted with care, when the muses align and the interpretation stays faithful to what the form truly represents, it captivates forever. Copla feels like a precious poem set to harmonies that carry a deep emotional weight. It is the memory sound of past generations yet remains deliciously contemporary for anyone willing to listen closely.
Which piece from the repertoire will Navarro perform? She highlights Ojos Verdes as a singular emblem, the first she will sing and a defining symbol of copla. It remains a benchmark, a portal into the heart of the tradition. Will Navarro continue with theater or return to music? She envisions a broader artistic path ahead. The present shows a more theatrical staging, intertwined with concert moments, while she also pursues projects in theater, film, and other creative opportunities as they arise. The future promises a blend of performance styles, reflecting a dynamic career that thrives on new challenges and collaborations.