FLAMENCO CHRISTMAS AT JEREZ 2005. TEATRO VILLAMARTA

A gypsy called Manuel

Carlos Sánchez. Jerez, December 9th, 2005

‘Navidad flamenca en Jerez’. Group of the Fernando Terremoto Flamenco Cultural Association. Guest artists: Diego Carrasco and La Reina Gitana. Teatro Villamarta. Jerez, December 8th and 9th, 2005. 9 p.m.

Following the smashing success it achieved a few years ago at the Teatro Villamarta, the Fernando Terremoto Peña returned to the top venue in Jerez to present a new show about the ‘Navidad flamenca de Jerez’ (‘Jerez Flamenco Christmas’). With new lyrics and new scores by Jerez-born cantaor Fernando Terremoto. With renewed hope and the desire to repeat the success achieved in the past. Over fifty people crowded the enormous stage of the Jerez theater to provide enough warmth and consistency to the performance of the most typical party at Christmastime in Jerez, the zambomba.

Diego Carrasco (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The show was split into two parts. The first one was devoted exclusively to Christmas carols, while the second offered the trademark of the Jerez bulería. They kicked off with ‘Divino cordero’, with the strength of youth. “The gypsies welcome ‘Manué’”. Luisa Fernández Pantoja, Fernando Terremoto's sister, tries to warm up the ambience while El Niño de la Fragua approaches the middle of the stage to perform ‘Sirva tu cuna’. Little by little, a jam-packed Villamarta starts to show the pulse of the people. ‘La vecinita’, with María Márquez, knocks the party up a notch. Singing and dancing confidently to the beat of the bulería. The audience begins to get involved in a more-than-intentional party atmosphere. The curtain closes at the most decisive moment.

Back comes the sugary melancholy in La Reina Gitana's piano. We're in ‘Diciembre’ (‘December’). Fernando Terremoto appears to sing to the month of Christmas. With feeling and substance. Finishing off the task with bulerías. Clapping sounds to the beat of this land. The audience also feels like a participant tonight. Not in vain is it a party of the people. The extensive repertoire continues with ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Échale carbón’, ‘Peregrino’ and ‘Te traigo’. A preamble to ‘Te canto’, a lullaby performed by the sweet voice of Felipa del Moreno. Withdrawal and melancholy. The first part finished with the peña's children's group, led by Manuel Marín Valencia. La Chochete's son dazzled those attending with his spontaneity and tenderness.

“Un, dos, tres,… faa”. Appearing is the compás guru, the rhythm wizard. With his guitar in hand, Diego Carrasco got down to offering a most varied repertoire through bulerías. With Christmas and traditional lyrics. A touch which served as the beginning of a grand finale reaching its peak when one of the performers exclaimed: “Have you ever seen a gypsy angel?” At that exact moment Manuel Soto Barea ‘El Bo’ appeared at the back of the stage dressed as an angel. Decked out with huge white wings, the Jerez-born artist delighted the Villamarta with that charm and that wit he is usually brimming over with in each and every one of his appearances. Improvisation and native ease at its purest. Everyone sings and dances. The night ends, but not the party.

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