Morente, 67, called “the Picasso of flamenco singing,” had been in a coma since undergoing emergency surgery just two days after having an ulcer operation.

A day after his death, a funeral chapel was to open in Madrid so Spaniards could pay their last respects to the singer Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero described as “the synonym of the most universal flamenco.”

Known as an innovator, he shocked traditionalists by merging flamenco rhythms with rock, jazz or virtually any genre.

Morente made about 20 records since 1967, winning the National Music Prize in 1994.