FESTIVAL OF JEREZ 2005. LEBRIJANO / PACO CEPERO / MILAGROS MENJÍBAR

Towards the tenth anniversary

Silvia Calado. Jerez, 9th March 2005

Closing Ceremony. El Lebrijano. Guitar: Pedro María Peña. Percussion: Tete Peña. Backing vocals: Juan Reina, Rosario Amador. Paco Cepero. Second guitar: José Ignacio Franco, Miguel Salado. Cante: Elu de Jerez. Baile: Irene Carrasco, Juan Antonio Tejero. Percussion: Carlos Merino. Palmas: Luis and Ali de la Tota. Milagros Menjíbar: baile. Teatro Villamarta, 9th March 2005. 9pm

Lebrijano (photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The curtains have barely come down on the ninth season of the Festival of Jerez and preparations are already under way for the tenth anniversary. With all eyes on the twenty five thousand spectators, ticket sales on the verge of one hundred percent and an increasing impact internationally year after year, the flamenco and traditional Spanish dance event is a step away from its tenth birthday. Both the shows of grand productions at Teatro Villamarta and the recitals at the smaller venues have been crowded with spectators. The fact that the ‘Los Novísimos’ season had a ‘sold out’ sign at every performance says it all about the interest for new tendencies that could easily take centre stage at future editions of the event. Emphasis must of course be put on the educational area, with close to eight hundred students from thirty countries participating in this edition’s program of classes. Of the thirty-four courses offered, approximately ninety two percent of the places were occupied, with twenty-six of the courses having no vacancies. The Japanese continue to take first place, followed by North Americans, Germans, Italians and Spaniards. Furthermore, new regions are taking their seats, such as Eastern Europe, Taiwan and Latin America.

Triple Closing Ceremony

In the presence of this United Nations Parliament of flamenco, in which the Jerez home crowd always plays a leading role, thirteen intense days of shows have unfolded, with the closing ceremony shared between vocals, dance and guitar. The first part consisted of a short recital by El Lebrijano (substituting Bernarda de Utrera), which set the stage for Milagros Menjíbar to perform two dance pieces. The bailaora from Seville gave a trae lesson por peteneras and por alegrías, both executed in traditional bata de cola dress, with impressive armwork and tranquility. Due to health reasons, the cantaor from Lebrija was not at his best, but throughout the five songs performed, he left no doubts about his artistic quality. He opened up with ‘En el soto’ and proceeded to glide upon the rhythms of bulerías with tracks from key albums such as ‘Persecución’. Less like songs, more like stories…..but no better man to tell them

The second part was entirely the creation of Paco Cepero, performing solo and giving a complete run-through of his repertoire, continuing well past midnight. With guest appearances by two bailaoras and one cantaora as well as two more guitarists, and a backing group providing palmas and percussion, he exhibited his unique approach to flamenco guitar as recorded on both previous and new albums such as ‘Corazón y bordón’. Simple melodies that already form part of everyone’s musical tradition, emphasis on rhythm and powerful beats combine in songs of various styles: tanguillos, fandangos, guajiras, bulerías, tangos, seguiriyas…. Almost as if delivering a masterclass in flamenco, the tocaor from Jerez brought the ninth edition of this festival to a close, thereby inviting everyone to participate next February in the celebration of its ten year anniversary. Whatever occurs there, Flamenco-world.com – a website that’s collaborated with the festival since its inception - will be there to report it.

magazine@flamenco-world.com