The bailaor is going to direct the new festival 'Toito el Flamenco' in El Campello (Alicante)

Flamenco-world.com, May 2004

Despite his hyperactivity, Antonio Canales confesses that he is "completely absorbed in 'Carmen, Carmela', my new creation". The show, which revises the myth by Merimé, premieres on May 28th and 29th, 2004 at the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria and has over one hundred scheduled galas. Moreover, the Sevillian bailaor and choreographer has just taken part in Forum 2004 with the show 'Diálogos alrededor del reloj' ('Dialogues Around the Clock'). And he is now working on preparing the new festival 'Toito el flamenco' at the Alicante town of El Campello, whose direction and program has been entrusted to him. In this setting he will present another show by his company: 'La Velá' ('The Evening Out').

Directed by Miguel Narros - who conducted 'Medea' for Spain's National Ballet -, 'Carmen, Carmela' is a show seeking to update the mythical character, played by dancer Lola Greco, who wants "a 'Carmen' more amusing, attractive and sentimental, but shying away from vulgarity". Antonio Canales, the show's choreographer, plays the role of a 'Don José' of the present, a member of the National Police. The show, in which bailaor and choreographer Diego Llori also takes part, is not only novel in the layout and the staging, but also in the music. The work recreates parts of the opera with a choir and four Spanish guitars. As Antonio Canales explains, "for the first time, an opera has been transcribed into flamenco's musical style".

Beginning with its premiere in Santander on May 28th and 29th, the show already has over one hundred galas scheduled, among them, those at the Córdoba Guitar Festival this July. And the Antonio Canales Company just can't catch its breath. Among other recent performances, standing out in late April was the presentation in Santiago de Chile of the show 'Bailaor'. Of those yet to come, mention must be made of the Japan tour this September with sixteen galas in cities such as Tokyo and Osaka; and the performances it will offer in Seville in September, at the flamenco festival joined to the opera 'Carmen' that is going to be held on different stages in the city.

Recently, Antonio Canales has participated in Forum 2004. He contributed to the dialogue 'El mundo hoy' ('The World Today') with the choreography 'Dialogues Around the Clock'. Together with twelve dancers from ten different countries, he represented the union of peoples, roots and cultures, by means of words and dancing, on a sand stage. Flamenco thus coexisted with Sephardic music, belly dancing, gospel, capoeira and tap dancing.

El Campello Festival

Another of the projects that Antonio Canales is involved in is the new festival 'Toito el Flamenco' in the Alicante town of El Campello, one of the tourist hubs on the Costa Blanca. The Sevillian artist has been appointed director and programmer of five flamenco evenings, with a bill for which names are being considered such as Mayte Martín, Belén Maya, Vicente Amigo, Juan de Juan, Manuela Carrasco and La Susi, among others. The company of Antonio Canales, who will also participate on the radio program 'Protagonistas' by Spanish radio station Onda Cero, will premiere the new flamenco show 'La Velá' at this forum.

magazine@flamenco-world.com