 Flamenco. The word, which
conjures up visions of profound passion, means Flemish in Spanish
with possible Jewish roots. It was born from the unlikely association
of Gypsies, Arabs and Jews who, outlawed during the Spanish Inquisition,
hid in the dark caves of Andalucia. It was under such cruel conditions
that flamenco was created – as a communal cry of defiance
and pain. The artistic power of the form, now over 600 years old,
has reverberated through the centuries, becoming one of the most
compelling and enduring forms of dance and music.
Noche Flamenca, the Madrid-based flamenco troupe, regarded world-wide
as one of the purest and most passionate keepers of the centuries-old
art form, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with five weeks of
performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, October 30 through November
30.
Determined to preserve the integrity of the music and dance, Martin
Santangelo, the company’s American-born artistic director
and founder, along with his Spanish wife, the renowned dancer Soledad
Barrio, have enlisted some of the greatest exponents of the art
to perform.
At the Lucille Lortel, the nine-member company of dancers, singers
and guitarists will present a program that begins with Santangelo’s
"A Nuestro Son," which introduces the individual members
of the company and displays the dramatic differences between them
while showing a wide range of flamenco styles. The show continues
with performances of a Siguiriya; while one of the oldest cante
forms, it emerged as a dance only 60 years ago. A release of pent-up
rage and sadness, the Siguiriya is considered one of the deepest,
most somber and stately of flamenco dances, performed at more or
less double the speed of the Solea. The basic dance step is a rhythmic
walk with the foot advancing and falling back in a rapidly stomping
motion. Soledad Barrio, who radiates with a dark, witch-like passion,
will perform the Siguiriya as well as the Solea, the most tragic
and profound of flamenco dances.
Another of the evening’s highlights will be Martin Santangelo’s
"Quebrada," Spanish for broken, a New York premiere, which
is performed by a trio of women to original music by the troupe’s
guitarists. The work uses Tarantos, Sevillanas, Bulerias and Soleares
to express the suffering of women trying to emotionally, spiritually
and sexually reach out to rejecting men. The women’s response
is one of inner strengthening, which surprises and weakens the men.
An expression of the Spanish Gypsy soul, the Jaleo, which is always
danced by a woman, will be performed by Isabel Bayon. To perform
this dance of emotion and ecstasy, the dancer must be especially
agile as she responds to the enthusiastic encouragement of the other
singers and musicians.
Noche Flamenca shows are filled equally with stirring music and
song including guitar and vocal solos performed by Paco Cruz (guitar);
Miguel Perez (guitar); Jesus Torres (guitar); Manuel Gago (vocals);
Silverio Heredia (vocals) and Emilio Florido (vocals).
The son of the Argentinian-born modern dancer Luly Santangelo and
the American-born sculptor and scientist Ed Goldin, Martin Santangelo
was born in New York City. Originally trained as an actor, he first
studied flamenco in San Francisco, where he met his wife Soledad
Barrio, who was his teacher at the time. She and Santangelo have
two daughters, Gabriela, 8, who occasionally makes a guest appearance
in the performances, and Stella, who is 2 years old.
In addition to his work with his wife, Santangelo has studied flamenco
with Circo, Paco Romero, El Guio, Manolete and Alejandro Granados.
As a dancer, he has performed throughout Spain and the United States,
appearing with Maria Benitez’s Teatro Flamenco and Paco Romero’s
Ballet Español, as well as choreographing his solos for and
appearing in Julie Taymor’s "Juan Darien" at Lincoln
Center. Additionally, Santangelo choreographed "Romeo and Juliette"
at the Denver Theater Center and co-directed and choreographed "Bodas
de Sangre" with Larry Kornfield at SUNY Purchase. For his work,
he has also received a nomination for Cal-Arts’s Alpert Award
in the Arts.
Internationally recognized for her blazing movement and fiery footwork,
Barrio has performed throughout Europe, Japan and North and South
America, and in 2001, she received a Bessie award for Outstanding
Creative Achievement. She also appeared as a soloist with the Ballet
Español de Paco Romero, Manuela Vargas, Blanca del Rey, Manolete
and El Toleo.
Adding to thrilling performances by Barrio, Noche Flamenca features
dancing by Isabel Bayon, former child prodigy from Sevilla, who
began dancing at age five with Matilde Cotral, and at sixteen was
awarded the title of Danza Española; the other dancer, Nelida
Trado, has toured in Franco Zeffirelli’s Metropolitan Opera
production of "Carmen," and starred in the Spanish version
of "Riverdance." About the musicians: Jesus Torres performed
with such renowned dancers as Manolete, Paco Fernandez and Sara
Lezana, and participated in writing the scores for Antonio Gades’s
productions of "Carmen" and "Fuenteovejuna;"
Miguel Perez Garcia began playing with his father in Sevilla and
has performed with the companies of Jose Greco, Manolo Soler and
Adrian Galia; and Paco Cruz was the recipient of several prestigious
awards, including the National Prize for Flamenco Guitar. The vocalists,
who all began singing as children, include: Manuel Gago, who by
fourteen was singing in flamenco festivals with Juan Villar, Charo
Lobato and Rancapino; Silverio Heredia Nunez, who has traveled throughout
Europe, South America and Asia and been awarded major prizes for
his singing; and Emilio Florido, who has worked in the companies
of Cristina Hoyos, El Ballet de Madrid and La Raza.
Since its founding in 1993, Noche Flamenca has performed in major
U.S. cities, as well as major venues in Australia, Japan, Argentina,
Egypt, Canada, Portugal and Spain. Since June 2003 alone, the company
has played to sold-out performances at Zellerbach Playhouse in Berkeley,
CA; the Florida International Festival in Daytona Beach, FL; and
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Los Angeles, CA, among others. Just
prior to its New York engagement, it will be seen in Pittsburgh,
PA (October 10–11); Nashville, TN (October 16); Memphis, TN
(October 18–19); and Hunter, NY (October 25).
After its Lucille Lortel season, Noche Flamenca’s schedule
includes three weeks in Buenos Aires, Argentina beginning January
15, 2004; a U.S. tour in February and March which includes stops
in New Jersey, Florida and Philadelphia; and performances in Australia
in the summer of 2004.
The evening curtain for the season at the Lucille Lortel Theatre,
Tuesdays through Saturdays, is at 8pm. There will also be 3pm matinees
on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets, which are $30–$35, may
be purchased at the Lucille Lortel Theatre box office or by calling
212-239-6200 or online at www.lortel.org. The Lucille Lortel Theatre
is located at 121 Christopher Street.
###
Please note: There will be no performances on Friday,
October 31 or Thursday, November 27. The press opening will be on
Saturday, November 1 at 8pm.
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