14th Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla

It’s
an even-numbered year and once again the capital of Andalusia is preparing
for the marathon Bienal de Flamenco, without a doubt the most important
and ambitious event of the flamenco calendar. For one full month, from
September 13th to October 15th inclusive, 56 performances of 40 different
shows are scheduled, a program that will attract thousands of flamenco
fans from all over the planet, with strong representation from Japan,
the United States and Europe.

The Alcázar de Sevilla, the Maestranza, Lope de Vega, Central
and Alameda theaters, the open-air Hotel Triana and the Auditorium of
the Cartuja are the venues that will accommodate the wide range of shows,
from traditional to avant-garde. As if wishing to outdo the Jerez festival,
this fourteenth edition is devoted to dance and kicks off with «Andalucía,
Flamenco y la Humanidad», the work of dancer and choreographer Mario
Maya, and the following day the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía premieres
«Romancero Gitano» under the direction of Cristina Hoyos.
Other premieres include Jerez dancer Mercedes Ruíz with her work
«Juncá» and Eva Yerbabuena’s «Huso de la
Memoria», with the «H» of «huso» included.
Another dancer from Jerez, Joaquín Grilo, is presenting his popular
work «A Solas», voted the best show of the last Festival de
Jerez.

Carlos Saura, the Major, culture asistant, and Bienal Headmaster
(photo: Paco Sánchez)

We will be able to enjoy yet another work based on Lorca, «Las Mujeres de Lorca» of Carmen Cortés, and Andrés Marín
will present «Vanguardia Jonda» (profound avant-garde), a
title which perfectly reflects the dancer’s artistic profile. Also
in dance, but in a more conventional vein, veteran Milagros Mengíbar
will share a recital with maestro Fosforito, and Juana Amaya will display
her skill in a show titled «El Flamenco en Cuatro Estaciones»
which includes classic singers Manuel Agujetas and El Pele. Young dancer
Fuensanta la Moneta from Granada will have the opportunity to win over
audiences with the help of popular flamenco singer José Valencia,
and Isabel Bayón returns to the Bienal with another work of Pepa
Gamboa, «Puerta Abierta». One of the most admired Seville
dancers of the moment, Israel Galván, winner of Spain’s national
dance prize in 2005, in addition to recycling his former works «Arena»
and «Tábula Rasa», is in charge of his sister Pastora’s
work «Francesas», another premiere at this Bienal. Farruca
is bringing her latest production «Gitanas» with a cast of
noteworthy female singers and dancers and Belén Maya will serve
up her art with a fine backup of first-class artists.

Important flamenco voices will also be present. From the traditional
singing of Fernando Terremoto, Tomás de Perrate, Calixto Sánchez,
José de la Tomasa and José Menese to the fresh original
sound of Miguel Poveda or the popular group Son de la Frontera, there’ll
be cante for every taste. In the instrumental department, the Bienal has
the honor of receiving maestros Vicente Amigo, Juan Carlos Romero, Pepe
Habichuela and Dorantes among others.

La Susi, Diego el Cigala, Esperanza Fernández, Remedios Amaya,
el Capullo de Jerez, Potito, Pedro Sierra, Daniel Navarro, Diego Carrasco…
This autumn the Seville Bienal onceagain will turn the city into the
epicenter of the flamenco world for one intense month.