Chicago’s Ensemble Español Center for Spanish Dance and Music presents “Flamenco Passion” Gala Performances

The elegance and passion of Spain’s dance, music and culture is showcased in the 35th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, Thursday, June 16 through Sunday, June 26. The Festival culminates in the wildly popular “Flamenco Passion” gala performances hailed as “exciting, sensual, and breathtaking” (Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune). All three of this year’s performances will include the following:

•  “Baile de Luis Alonso” (The Dance of Luis Alonso) created by Ensemble Español Associate Artistic Director and First Dancer Irma Suarez Ruiz. – WORLD PREMIERE. Truly in the Spanish classical style from la Zarzuela (Spain’s light opera) this work reflects the style and elegance of the castled courts in Spain during the 19th century.

• Carmela Greco’s “Cinco Tiempos Para Amar” (Five Times to Love). Renowned Flamenco dancer and choreographer and daughter of the legendary José Greco, performs her critically acclaimed dramatic Flamenco solo created to the music and lyrics of the soulful Martinete and Siguiriya, the saddest and most dramatic songs of Flamenco. The musical arrangements are composed by guest Flamenco guitarist, Antonio Gabarri Jiménez . 

• “Zorongo Gitano,” created and performed by guest artists Paloma Gomez and Christian Lozano. The music for this work, written and recorded in 1931 by Federico Garcia Lorca, one of Spain’s greatest poet, dramatist and theater directors, was originally danced by La Argentinita. In this creation the choreographers display the poet’s words of love and desire to the contrapositions of darkness and death. The work had its U.S. premiere in the 2010 “Flamenco Passion” performances.

• “Alegrias y Jaleos” (Happiness and Shouts of Joy), a Flamenco suite in the Alegrias, Romeras, & Mirabras style choreographed for the company by Juan Mata & Ana González, founding members and former first dancers of the National Ballet of Spain in 2006.

• Company masterworks by Dame Libby for this special anniversary:

• “Romance de Triana,” a special anniversary revision of Dame Libby’s first commission work, Triana, back in 1977 to the romantic music of Isacc Albeniz;
• “Tiempos de Goya /Pinturas del Parque” set to the music of Enrique Granados in 1978 with original painting/backdrop by Christine Fransen;
• “Bolero,” created in 1993 on the full company, has been hailed as one of the greatest Flamenco ballets set on stage with sizzling backdrop projections by Pablo Picasso. Performed in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Poland, & China.

Live music for “Flamenco Passion”gala performances will be performed by guest musicians Manuel Palacín (Flamenco singer, National Ballet of Spain, Madrid); Paco Fonta (Flamenco singer and guitarist, Jáen/Miami) and Antonio Gabarri Jiménez (Flamenco guitarist, Madrid). Joining them will be Chicago’s own Jaime Saume (percussionist), Lyon Leifer (flutist) and Sylvia Myintoo (violinist).