Jerónimo, María Juncal and Ezequiel Benítez close the Muestra de Flamenco Joven 2006. On May 27th, Madrid’s Teatro Español lived the last of its five nights (nearly early mornings) dedicated this month to the new talents of the jondo. The downtown venue, filled nearly entirely by the tourist crowd, became a showcase where guitar, cante and baile sparkled unevenly. Jerónimo clutched his guitar forcefully to start off the evening. He performed soleá, rondeña and bulería alone, with the cleanness, firmness and virtuosity characteristic of his shows. He finished off tête-à-tête with his brother Leo de Aurora, paying tribute to Django Reinhardt. A storm of positive energy. Less lively on stage was Jerez-born cantaor Ezequiel Benítez, who took care of the soleá, fandangos and bulerías without plunging into the depths. The tables were turned once again in the second act, devoted entirely to María Juncal’s baile. The Canarian artist offered a passage from her show, ‘Destemplao’. On the one hand, a farruca. And on the other, a potpourri of styles in which there was room for everything from alegrías to seguiriyas. The bailaora went all the way in technique, posture and expressiveness, managing to get warm ovations from the crowd.

More information: International festival agenda Interview with Jerónimo, guitarist (May 2004)