Rafael Gonzalez-Serna Bono has died in Seville as a result of the illness he suffered from for several years.
Rafa Serna , as he was popularly known in the city, was in love with his city and its traditions. In 2016, he was the town crier of Holy Week, an act to which he gave a twist incorporating his particular style.
Minstrel of Seville, has died at the age of 53. From a very young age he began to compose, forming part of the prestigious choir of the Brotherhood of Rocio in Seville (El Salvador). During his career, he wrote almost 400 songs. He was married to the court attorney Magdalena Lirola and was the father of three children: Magdalena, 25, and the twins, 23, Maria Eugenia (model) and Rafa (bullfighter).
Rafael Gonzalez-Serna, a resident of the Alfalfa neighborhood, was a brother of the brotherhoods of Macarena, el Gran Poder, Santa Cruz, la Redencion, el Rocio de Sevilla and las Nieves de Santa Maria la Blanca. His Betica militancy was also notorious, a club for which he composed his centennial anthem.
His commitment to Seville led the City Council to distinguish him with the City Medal in 2016, “for the promotion of culture, art and his contribution to the dissemination of the name of Seville”, as the City Council highlighted at the time.
Author of some of the most emblematic sevillanas rocieras in history, he composed songs for artists such as Maria del Monte, Manolo Franco, Maria Jose Santiago or the choir of his brotherhood.
Among his most popular songs is Se te nota en la mira, performed by countless artists. He has also released several albums as a performer and has collaborated on the composition of numerous songs with the musicians Manuel Marvizon or Luis Baras.
During his life there were countless proclamations and exaltations that he pronounced. Among others, and in addition to the official of the Holy Week in Seville of 2016, that of the Brotherhood of Rocio de Sevilla, that of the Armaos de la Macarena, that of Capitania General, the Cofrade de la Candelaria, the first Exaltacion of the Week Santa del Casco Antiguo or Christmas Santa. Last November, he pronounced the Exaltation to the Virgen del Rocio in the hermitage of Almonte, when the Hymn of the Centenary of the coronation that he himself had composed was also presented.
Hymn of the centenary to the Virgen del Rocio author Rafa Serna
In the year 2018, Rafa Serna embodied King Baltasar in the Cavalcade of the Magi in Seville, organized by the Ateneo de Sevilla.
Al Final de la Palmera (Official Anthem of the Centennial)
The unburied body mass will be celebrated this Wednesday, at 12:00, in the Parish of Santa Cruz.
