Wichita Grand Opera
Wichita Grand Opera
Century II Concert Hall
225 W. Douglas Ave.
Wichita , Kansas 67202
316.683.3444 Admin Office
316.262.8054 Box Office

Flamenco Español

November 16, 2008, 3:00 PM


Stars  |    Full Company  Performance Program

Stars

José Porcel was born in Sevilla, and at the age of thirteen began dancing Andalucian folkloric dances and flamenco in cultural centers in Valencia. He began his dance studies at 16 with the master Martín Vargas. He moved to Madrid and continued his studies with Paco Romero, Isabel Quintero, Cristóbal Reyes, Pedro Azorín and José Granero.

In 1989 he made his professional debut

with the Ballet de Valencia, directed by Martín Vargas, and was promoted to soloist in the company the following year.

Within the Ballet Nacional, he worked with masters including José Granero, Victoria Eugenia, Juanjo Linares, Currillo, Manolo Marín, Javier de la Torre, Antonio Canales, and Pedro Azorín. As soloist with the company he danced in Los Tarantos as Picaos, Medea as the man of Medea, and Grito as Soleá (flamenco). As premier dancer in the Ballet Nacional de España he interpreted Farruca (flamenco) and Danza y tronío. In December 1999 Mr. Porcel danced as soloist in the company of Rafael Aguilar, interpreting the Torero in Carmen during a major tour of Germany and Switzerland.

In 2000 he danced as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, under the direction of maestro Héctor Zaraspe. In this same year he was contracted as the first dancer in the Compañía Española de Antonio Márquez, performing on tour around the world and at the Ópera de París for over 20 sold-out performances, followed by a critically acclaimed tour of the United States during the 2001-2002 season.

 

COMPAÑIA FLAMENCO

Flamenco is an explosion of rhythms, colors, and emotions that contains all of the vitality, sunniness, and passion of the Spanish people. It is a folkloric celebration where, even when performed as "theatre art,” its irresistible appeal and irrepressible energy remain intact. It is highly probable that flamenco singing and dancing originated in Andalucia around the fifteenth century, during the Gypsies' encounter with the inhabitants of southern Spain.

Over the past century, through a constant effort involving stylistic experimentation, refinement of expression, and technical codification, flamenco has come into its own as a “theatre art,” giving this form of dancing a true artistic dignity of its own, without losing its strong identity as folk dancing that is intimately bound to the Gypsy spirit.

The Compañia Flamenco was founded in Madrid, Spain and is among the premier dance troupes exhibiting this exciting art form. The Company brings this tradition to life vibrantly and colorfully with live musicians, vocalists and of course dancers, and has delighted audiences around the world for many years.

Full Company

Compañia Flamenco José Porcel

 

José Porcel

Artistic Director

 

José Porcel, Ruben Olmo,
Rocio Molina, Isabel Bavon

Choreographers

 

Lighting Designer

Ezequiel Nobili

Costume Designer

Lighting Director

José Arroyo-Gonzales

Ximo Rojo

Costumer

Loli Porcel

 

Personnel

Principal Bailaore

José Porcell

Principal Bailaora

Maria Jurado

Bailaoras

Tamara Calatayud

 

Leticia Calatayud

 

Patricia Goro

Bailaores

Adrian Santana

 

Ricardo Sanchez

 

Antonio Ramirez

Guitar

Ruben Campos

 

Javier Fernandez

Vocals

Caridad Vega

 

Manuel Soto

Percussion

Miguel Ortiz


(Productions and Artists subject to change)

Performance Program

 

“Alma flamenco”

The spirit and soul of flamenco

 

“Aire Fresco” (Tangillo)

All the company

 

A presentation of cheerful movements that require great coordination in festive dance.

 

Soledad” (seguirilla)

José Porcel

 

One of the strong dances within the flamenco range, performed in a virile style, expressing great inner feeling.

 

“Fuerzas” (Farruca)

Bailaores

 

Three different personalities. Three different styles. Three different dancers with different energies to create a single line of expression.

 

“Vivencias” (Solea)

All the company

 

Coordination and the expression of unity in the expansion of one of the intermediate themes of flamenco. Complex choreographic movements.

 

 

 

Intermission

 

 

 

 

Union” (Taranto)

Maria Jurado and José Porcel

 

The leading bailaora of the company and José Porcel express their emotions through movement and entwine their feelings generating moments of sensuality and passion onstage.

 

“Mujeres” (Rondena)

Bailaoras

 

A flamenco dance in which the bailaoras of the company perform light, rounded movements wherein the dresses with long trains are the protagonists. The castanets are used as a rhythmic accompaniment adding color and harmony to the piece.

 

“A mi manera” (Alegrias)

José Porcel

 

A solo in which José Porcel is moved by his state of spirit, improvising throughout a large section of the piece with the intention of reaching a disturbing connection with the public.

 

“Fiesta flamenco”

All the company

 

The company bids farewell with an emotive finish. Color, joy and festivity aspiring to transmit an enthralling finale to all the spectators.