Festival Flamenco Pa'tos 6. Israel Galván, Terremoto, Alfredo Lagos, Mercé, Moraíto, Rafael Riqueni

Convivial flamenco

Text: Sonia M. Pariente
Photos : Rafael Manjavacas

Click to enlarge images

The third day of the Flamenco Festival Pa’Tos we were treated
to some traditional flamenco. Which is not at odds with the fact
that it was contemporary flamenco, modern, and if you force the
issue a bit, avant-garde. Sometimes the most traditional artist
of all has everything, one element cohabits with the other and the
mix enriches the final product. One example of this is the show
“La Edad de Oro” which dancer Israel Galván shares
with singer Fernando Terremoto and guitarist Alfredo Lagos.

Terremoto’s singing reminds one of his father, the great
Terremoto de Jerez. The son has a profound and powerful voice. This
is a singer who is faithful to the most traditional roots and orthodoxy
of flamenco. Israel Galván is a dancer considered to break
all molds – this is known before you even take your seat in
the theater. And they get along perfectly…with the guitar of Alfredo
Lagos, you get a show full of art, professionalism and class.

In many of the forms, such as the free-form fandangos, you see
how the dancer marks the compás. It’s true his dancing
is hallucinogenic, but you develop a taste for it: his classic and
contemporary movements, his elegant turns, his extravagant postures
and his unusual twists, never lacking in grace…the lifted leg,
the slow motion arms, as if to say “take it or leave it”,
it all brings ‘oles’. In all the forms they interpreted:
soleá por bulerías, tientos- tangos, martinete, seguiriya,
alegrías…each of the performers shined individually. The
bulerías finale was not lacking, and they traded roles: Israel
Galván sang, Terremoto played guitar and Alfredo Lagos danced,
even going so far as to imitate Galván, which triggered laughter
and applause from a wise audience.

If anyone ever opened paths in flamenco, that’s Rafael Riqueni.
He played solo, and everything he played, all in the old style, with
guitar only, sounded as modern as anyone. Minera, garrotín,
bulerías…he demonstrated his prodigious technique and his
astonishing creativity. It was an authentic master class in guitar-playing.
His rasgueado, picado, the richness of sound, all of very high quality.
“Riqueni, you’re too much, you’re flamenco!”
shouted a voice from the audience. And every little bit was enjoyed
from this incredible musician who received the audience’s ovation.

José Mercé also sang, and the Gomaespuma team reminded
us he was present at the festival’s first edition six years
ago. Now he’s one of the most popular flamenco artists in
Spain, and he’d come once again to sing for the charity foundation
led by Gomaespuma. It’s always a pleasure to hear his extraordinary
voice…siguiriya, soleá, fandangos and bulerías,
in the purest Jerez style.

Text: Sonia
Martínez Pariente

Photos: Rafael Manjavacas

More information:

Review & photos 20th june: Sara Baras, Enrique
de Melchor, Marina Heredia

Review & photos 21th june: Salva del Real,
Antonio Pitingo, Mayte Martin & Belén Maya

:
Rafael Riqueni, Mercé&Moraíto, Israel Galván,
Terremoto, Lagos

:
Son de la Frontera, La Tana, El Güito

Rafael Riqueni Juego de niños

José Mercé 'Confí de fua'

Fernando Terremoto 'Cosa Natural'