The Alhambra and Federico García Lorca are
the most universal symbols of Granada, the beautiful and unique
historic city eternally in search of its identity through
the ill-fated poet via countless versions of his work, biographies,
books, musicals, paintings, films and documentaries, forcing
us and helping us to feel Federico’s presence at every
turning.
A beautiful and
unique historic city eternally in search of its identity through
the ill-fated poet
 On
this occasion the individual comes face to face with the physical
presence of the Alhambra at whose feet is situated the Carlos
V Palace, the perfect setting for this Lorca-esque fantasy
which combines modern dance with flamenco insinuations, the
voice of Enrique Morente, relevant folk-songs, recited poetry,
the music of Miles Davis and the sound of bombers overhead
among other incongruities, some more efficient than others,
which manage to establish a surreal ambience.
The absence of live music, because it’s all pre-recorded,
creates a coldness the dancers barely overcome and Belén
Maya, as fascinating as ever, interprets an evocative taranto
with bata de cola. Contemporary music is interrupted by the
unabashedly nostalgic sounds of María la Canastera,
Granada gypsy from the caves of Sacromonte, the only artist
not credited on the program, with the delightful dance of
Curro Albayzín and members of the group for a potpourri
that includes Granada folklore such as the ‘mosca’,
the ‘cachucha’ and alboreá.
The struggle between
the innocence of beauty,
and the brutality of war
Café de Chinitas, Anda Jaleo, Zorongo…folksongs
that Lorca arranged and transformed…the geometric Rafaela
Carrasco, author of much of the choreography, with a malagueña
as long on flash as it is short on inspiration, and always
the struggle between the innocence of beauty and the brutality
of war represented by the threatening sound of bombers overhead
(although Granada was never a victim of bombing), projected
images of Picasso’s Guernica and lighting of a shade
of red that could only represent blood.
Theater-wise, there are some very good moments, dance-wise,
the show functions less well despite some interesting details,
flamenco, little, something which seemed to disappoint the
mostly foreign audience. One must attend this presentation
with the sole objective of spending a pleasant summer evening
within the grounds of the Alhambra recalling the character
of Lorca and contemplating the enormity of the war that cost
him his life seven decades ago.
Text & photos: Estela
Zatania
More information:
|
