Coros, Comparsas, Chirigotas and Cuartetos are all groups of men, all singing
'tanguillos', written by one of their number, with grandiloquent gestures.
In the month before Carnaval a fierce series of heats in el Gran Teatro Falla decides
the prizewinners for that year - who get to perform in the plum spots around town.
Coros (choirs) - 30-40 men accompanied by a row of kneeling guitar and bandurria
(a type of mandolin) players.
Comparsas ('extras') - something between coros and chirigotas, in size
and style. Drums and guitar being their main instruments, they are mobile, like the
Chirigotas ('jokes') - 10 to 15 in number with a guitarist, bass and side drum.
One offical guide claims their distinctive instrument is the 'reed pipe' -
don't be fooled - it's a kazoo.
Cuartetos - not surprisingly, 4 guys with kazoos and claves.
Most songs wll be comments on events of the past year, some highly satirical (expect plenty of
references to Raul's "missed" penalty, las vacas locas (mad cows) and a certain
British submarine) and, by the time you're down to the smaller groups, downright suggestive
or even scatalogical. Think Private Eye set to music by the staff of Viz and you'll have some
idea of Gaditano humour.
"The coro is the compliment, the comparsa the feeling, the chirigota the
fun and the cuarteto the laughter of Carnaval."
So the ilegales (fringe performers) must be the falling over pissed, then ...
