Rafael Amargo to give the inaugural performance of 'Poeta en Nueva York' in Madrid

The show, inspired by Lorca's work, includes audiovisuals by Juan Estelrich

Flamenco-world.com

Flamenco finds itself turning once more to the work of Federico García Lorca. The Granada- born dancer Rafael Amargo has selected the work 'Poeta en Nueva York' as the inspiration for his latest production. The show will be receive its premier on April 5 2002 at the Teatro Lope de Vega in Madrid, where it will be playing until May 12. The company will be presenting a mixture of contemporary styles in music and choreography ranging from flamenco and jazz to latin rhythms. The film director Juan Estelrich and the choreographer Manuel Segovia have also worked on the show which includes a cast fifteen dancers, seven musicians and four singers.

Rafael Amargo's company in 'Amargo'

Rafael Amargo is launching his company's second show after concluding the tour of his debut production 'Amargo'. The dancer has turned his attention to his native Granada to preform in 'Poeta en Nueva York', the result of Federico García Lorca visit to the "Big Apple" in 1929. The dancer will premier the show in Madrid's Teatro Lope de Vega, where it will be running from April 5 to May 12 2002.

In the new show Rafael Amargo is looking to bring together the flamenco tradition with "contemporary trends in both music and choreography in which both jazz and latin rhythms will play a part." In an innovative step, dance and music will be combined with poetry "that will be performed by leading actors in an audiovisual set created by the movie director Juan Estelrich". As well as the contribution of the director, the show also includes the choreography of Manuel Segovia, director of the Compañía Ibérica de Danza which shared last year's National Dance Prize with Eva la Yerbabuena, in a move towards "popular Spanish folklore".

The company - formed by fifteen dancers, seven musicians and four singers - is conducted by Rafael Amargo, who takes on the role of both artistic director and choreographer. The composer, singer and pianist Edith Salazar has taken charge of the musical direction of the production, as well as "all those pieces in which there is some sort of fusion of musical styles", while Antonio Belart is the costume designer.