“Fedra seeks the essence
of tragedy in flamenco”
The show, starring Lola Greco, is to be presented at the
Teatros del Canal in Madrid and at Festival de Jerez 2010
Silvia Calado. Madrid, January 11th, 2010
“Miguel Narros has sought
the essence of tragedy in baile, cante and flamenco music”.
That is the forceful declaration by the director of the
Teatros del Canal, Albert Boadella, on the occasion of the
presentation of the flamenco opera show ‘Fedra’
on this stage in Madrid, where it is on the bill from January
13th to 31st, 2010. The star of the show, dancer Lola
Greco, who has just won the 2009 National Dance
Prize, stresses that “this role has made me grow”.
And she didn’t want to pass up the chance to highlight
the tribute which is paid to Manuela Vargas, who played
the lead role in the version twenty years ago.
Miguel Narros recognizes that in both versions
“the inspiration comes from them”, both Manuela
Vargas back then, and Lola Greco now. And he understands
that “they’re two women born into dancing, but
with tragic roots inside them”. Even so, differences
had to be marked. “The first time we took Greek tragedy
to flamenco was with ‘Medea’, which was not
only a success, but also broke new ground and opened new
ways. This time a show had to be made for Lola Greco, not
just stage the one from twenty years ago again, but rather
it had to be different”, the veteran playwright admits.
To do so, even “the music composed by Enrique
Morente has changed”. For example, he has added
a petenera to the score which he sings together with his
daughter Estrella. In Javier
Latorre’s opinion, “it’s a real little
jewel and he should record that entire wonderful symphony
in ‘Fedra’ and bring it out”.
Miguel Narros,
Lola Greco and Javier Latorre, at Teatros del
Canal (Photo Daniel
Muñoz) |
|
The choreographer has especially contributed
to updating this ‘Fedra’, set in the 21st century.
He pointed out to the media that the assignment “has
been a challenge because of its background. I was a part
of that wonderful ‘Medea’ by Narros and Granero,
so this has meant completing the circle”. And above
all, he highlights the lead dancer, who he coincided with
in his youth at the Ballet Nacional de España: “Being
able to stage for Lola Greco was a pending matter; I think
she’s the best dancer in the history of Spanish dance
because she perfectly unifies the aspects of interpreting
and technique”. The hard part about this show, as
he explains, has been “not to let myself be influenced
by the previous version, and to that end, I’ve followed
Narros’s indications”. And he doesn’t
forget to stress the work of the rest of the crew: “Carmelilla,
Alejandro Granados and Amador Rojas have given the best
of themselves, and the dance corps is overflowing with energy”.
From Madrid to Jerez
After running at the Teatros del Canal
in Madrid from January 13th to 31st, 2010, ‘Fedra’
will continue its tour with a stop at Festival
de Jerez 2010. Specifically, it will be seen at the
Teatro Villamarta in Jerez on Sunday, February 28th. The
show premiered last summer at the Teatro Mercadante in Naples
and since then it has been performed at forums as prestigious
as the Mérida Classical Theater Festival, the Córdoba
Guitar Festival and the Castell de Peralada Festival.
Javier Latorre, Lola Greco
and Miguel Narros, 'Fedra'
(Photo Daniel
Muñoz) |
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