It’s getting on for midnight and many of the audience have already left. But the artists are enjoying themselves. Omara Portuondo, the Cuban diva of Buena Vista Social Club fame, proves that she can still dance at 85 as her signature bolero, Dos Gardenias, suddenly speeds up. She is joined by the celebrated Spanish flamenco singer Diego El Cigala, 38 years her junior. It seems remarkable that they only met last year and have not collaborated before; after all, Diego is best known for his work with the late Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés, while Omara has collaborated with his son Chucho.

Their first British show together was an intriguing if patchy set. Diego opened, perched on a stool and showing off an intense, emotional style that began to sound repetitive during the long, later section of the show after Omara mysteriously left the stage. She started in impressive form, disappeared after the powerful duet Lágrimas Negras, and though there were some uncertain passages on her return, she gave a rousing treatment of her pre-Buena Vista favourite Siboney and the gently emotional Duele Mucho. A tighter, better-constructed set would have helped.

Raúl Rodriguez, last here with Son de la Frontera, also explored the links between Spain and Cuba. Playing a specially built, part-flamenco and part-Cuban tres guitar, and joined by a second guitar virtuoso and singer Mario Mas, he mixed Spanish, Cuban and blues influences in an exuberant, exhilarating set. This duo deserve to return as headliners.