One of the world's greatest "jondo" style flamenco singers, Carmen Linares has set her vocals to the classically oriented accompaniment of symphonic and chamber orchestras for nearly two decades. Linares was the first flamenco singer to perform with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and has been equally forceful performing with the classic flamenco accompaniment of sole acoustic guitar. While The New York Times praised her for her "extraordinary and expressive power," El Mundo claimed "she possesses three invaluable virtues: power of communication, purity without purism, and all-around competence." ~ Craig Harris