The Sevillian bailaor and choreographer to star in 'Carmela' along with
dancers Lola Greco and Maximiliano Guerra

S.C.O., May 2003

The creative capacity of Antonio Canales seems to know no bounds. After 'Minotauro', 'Noche de café cantante', 'Ojos Verdes', 'Suite del Agua' and 'Tierra y fuego', the Sevillian bailaor and choreographer is already working on a new show he is scheduled to premiere at Seville's 2004 Bienal and to give sneak previews of at festivals in Mérida, Granada y Peralada. 'Carmela' is presented as a new and ambitious version of the opera 'Carmen' by Bizet, which he will star in along with dancers Lola Greco and Maximiliano Guerra. The appeal of the remake also lies in the music, sustained in classical guitar, accordion and the Orfeón Donostiarra Choir.

Antonio Canales in 'Torero' (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

"The show will be titled 'Carmela', which sounds more Spanish". And besides being renamed, the opera brings succulent novelties with it. The show will be a pioneer in the mixture of dance styles: flamenco will be provided by Antonio Canales in the role of Don José; Spanish style will be done by Lola Greco, representing Carmela; and ballet will be the responsibility of Argentinean dancer Maximiliano Guerra, the Bullfighter. The choreography is signed by Antonio Canales.

Another added value of this version is the musical section. The bailaor and choreographer comments that it will be "the first time that Bizet's 'Carmen' will be played on classical guitar and accordion". Specifically, the music will be played by four classical guitarists and two accordionists, all of them first-rate. Antonio Canales elaborates that "the arrangements are being prepared by Juan Víctor Rodríguez Yagüe, the director of Lope de Vega Theater". And he specifies that "the Orfeón de Donosti Choir will sing all the choral part of the show live".

The names in the balance for the technical side are also top-notch. The work would be directed by playwright Miguel Narros. The lighting design, as is usual in the bailaor's shows, will be handled by Sergio Spinelli. And the wardrobe will be done by Burgos-born designer Amaya Arzuaga. There is also the possibility that "the first day Plácido Domingo might direct us... it would be a real luxury".

Antonio Canales and Manuela Carrasco in 'Tierra y fuego' (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

Antonio Canales, with Mónica Fernández and Sabú in 'Suite del agua' (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

Running

Antonio Canales, winner of the 1995 National Dance Prize of Spain, plans to premiere this show at Seville's 2004 Bienal de Flamenco for four days at Lope de Vega Theater, whose resident company he currently leads. However, the show will get to the Sevillian macrofestival fresh and running, since "beforehand it will début at theater and dance festivals such as those of Mérida, Granada and Peralada... that is, at the most important ones". In order for the project to come through safely, the company is already negotiating sponsorship with several institutions.