{"id":18698,"date":"2020-03-12T20:36:42","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T19:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expoflamenco.com\/archivo\/?p=18698"},"modified":"2020-03-12T20:40:49","modified_gmt":"2020-03-12T19:40:49","slug":"the-festival-de-jerez-ended-its-24th-edition-in-good-health-with-the-ballet-nacional-de-espana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expoflamenco.com\/archivo\/en\/chronicles\/the-festival-de-jerez-ended-its-24th-edition-in-good-health-with-the-ballet-nacional-de-espana\/","title":{"rendered":"The Festival de Jerez ended its 24th edition in good health with the \u2018Ballet Nacional de Espa\u00f1a\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Saturday, March 8th<\/sup>, was the last day of the Festival de Jerez<\/a>, an edition characterized by two essential aspects: the great health of the new generation in baile flamenco<\/em>, and the tension created by the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, not even the latter was able to dampen the success of this event, which was reinforced by an impeccable organization. Since it began on February 21st<\/sup>, the Villamarta Theater<\/a>\u00a0hosted a series of shows that attested the quality of the new generation of baile<\/em> with three specific names: Manuel Li\u00f1\u00e1n<\/strong>\u00a0(\u00a1Viva<\/em>!),\u00a0Mar\u00eda Moreno<\/strong>\u00a0(De la Concepci\u00f3n<\/em>) y\u00a0Marco Flores<\/strong>\u00a0(Rayuela<\/em>). All three experienced great success in a theater entrusted to three flamenco productions, each of them with a unique vision and having a clear goal in communicating and conveying emotion, which is ultimately what art is all about. The great, established stars such as Sara Baras, Antonio \u2018El Pipa\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Rafaela Carrasco<\/strong>\u00a0didn\u2019t disappoint anyone, but the freshness of the younger artists added an even more gratifying experience, if that\u2019s even possible.<\/p>\n

In smaller venues like Sala Pa\u00fal<\/strong>, other artists performed, such as Paula Comitre<\/strong>, possibly the greatest revelation of this edition with her show C\u00e1mara Abierta<\/em>. Her performance revealed an interesting profile, keeping a perfect balance between concept and execution. Other artists like Fernando Jim\u00e9nez<\/strong>\u00a0(Conmigo<\/em>) and\u00a0Cristina Aguilera<\/strong>\u00a0(De agua, plata y tierra<\/em>) also made a good impression. We must take in account that these young artists perform in one of the most important festivals in the world of baile flamenco<\/em> where expectations are sometimes excessive and hard to surpass even by those with the highest skill and talent.<\/p>\n

\u00abThis is a festival that\u2019s experienced on the streets. It\u2019s possible to have a glass of wine near the theater together with the artists who just ended a performance. Impressive.\u00bb<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this edition, we must highlight two bailaoras<\/em> from Jerez who continue to grow professionally from an updated and well-defined optic in flamenco dance. Saray Garc\u00eda\u00a0<\/strong>was greatly acclaimed at the Claustros de Santo Domingo<\/em> venue with her production El sentir de un pueblo,\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Carmen Herrera<\/strong>\u00a0performed once again her show El sonido de mis d\u00edas<\/em> with a renewed spirit.<\/p>\n

In cante, we were able to enjoy voices such as those of Jos\u00e9 Dom\u00ednguez\u00a0El Cabrero<\/strong>, in his farewell tour with a message as solid as ever,\u00a0Mar\u00eda Vargas\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Mateo Sole\u00e1<\/strong>, allowing us to experience authentic, traditional flamenco. Younger but well-established cantaores<\/em> also had unforgettable performances, like David Carpio\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Miguel \u2018Lavi\u2019<\/strong>, two of the best cantaores<\/em> of Jerez. Alfonso Carpio \u2018Mijita\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0showed us his best version with a unique and authentic style.<\/p>\n

Rafael Riqueni<\/strong>\u00a0and his guitar. It was quite something. The Gonz\u00e1lez Byass venue hosted this brilliant guitarist who impregnated the cellar\u2019s wine with his vintage genius. Exquisite, subtle, classic, universal\u2026 Celestial music.<\/p>\n

As we stated before, regarding the performances of February 29th<\/sup>, La Fiesta<\/em>\u00a0was supposed to launch a new format that was very appealing on paper, but in practice was very inconvenient for the public. Isamay Benavente<\/strong>, director of the festival, has already confirmed in an interview for Diario de Jerez<\/em>\u00a0that there are no plans to use this venue again in future editions of the Festival.<\/p>\n

Last but not least, we must congratulate the students who come to take lessons taught by the great maestros<\/em> of baile<\/em>. They are the ones who fill the streets, bars and restaurants in these days of celebration. This is a festival that\u2019s experienced on the streets, even as this may sound clich\u00e9. It\u2019s possible to have a glass of wine near the theater together with the artists who just ended a performance. Impressive. It\u2019s a magical atmosphere. The pe\u00f1as flamencas<\/em> were full in all their recitals, characterized by a popular and friendly ambiance. Let\u2019s now look forward to the well-deserved 25th<\/sup> anniversary of this festival.<\/p>\n

Image above: Ballet Nacional de Espa\u00f1a (photo: Javier Fergo)<\/strong><\/h6>\n

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