Marina Heredia performs in dancer Blanca Li's version of 'El amor brujo'

Flamenco-world.com, March 2004

Granada's 2004 music and dance festival portrays an image of Granada that's open-minded, aiming to provide, according to director Enrique Gámez, "a pluralist and heterogeneous mix, with something for everyone." And, in fact, you can take your pick from symphonic music, chamber music, opera, Spanish zarzuela and, of course, flamenco. The ambassadors for flamenco will be Paco de Lucía, performing tracks from his new album 'Cositas buenas', Farruquito with 'Alma vieja' and Estrella Morente with the world première of 'Pastora 1922', a tribute to La Niña de los Peines. In addition, cantaora Marina Heredia will take part in Blanca Li's ground-breaking version of 'El amor brujo'. Another way of getting to grips with flamenco from close-up is the festival's 'Trasnoches' - through the night sessions to be held at smaller, more informal venues around the city: ventas, peñas and cuevas. The event in the city of the world-famous Alhambra palace will take place this coming June.

Farruquito (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

Estrella Morente (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada has been running for 53 years. It's a renowned showcase for opera, classical music, chamber music, Spanish operetta... and top-notch flamenco, as evidenced by the hugely successful performances in the past by artists of the ilk of Enrique Morente and Eva Yerbabuena. Farruquito will open the flamenco proceedings at this year's festival. On Wednesday 23rd June 2004, at the city's Congress Center, the bailaor from Seville will perform the encounter with his family tree that is 'Alma vieja'. He'll be accompanied by some of the youngest bailaores in his family, like Farruco and El Polito, as well as by his tía Pilar la Faraona and troubadour Manuel Molina. There'll be a change of scenery in store for the welcome return of Paco de Lucía. The guitarist will give a concert as part of the international tour to mark the release of his new disc 'Cositas buenas', at the bullring on Saturday 26th June. El Negri, La Tana, Alain Pérez and El Piraña will be among those who accompany him.

	Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada poster

As for Estrella Morente, she'll offer her home town a world première, and at a unique venue. As Enrique Gámez comments "we're breathing life back into another hallowed venue: the Patio de los Aljibes, the historic enclave which was the venue for the 1922 Concurso de Cante Jondo, where the legendary Pastora Pavón, La Niña de los Peines, gave a stunning performance. And recollections of that magical moment will be brought back now, with the world première of 'Pastora 1922', a new production starring cantaora Estrella Morente." The show will be performed on Tuesday June 29th.

And while it may not be strictly flamenco, acclaimed contemporary choreographer and dancer Blanca Li's version of 'El amor brujo' by Manuel de Falla is certainly worthy of mention. With the artist will be flamenco vocalist Marina Heredia from Granada, and guitarist José Quevedo, as well as the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada and Moroccan formation Gnawa Halwa.

Night owls

In its attempt to creep into every corner of the city, the festival will put in an appearance in other more out-of-the-way venues... and this will include some flamenco. The 'Trasnoches' season will allow fans to continue enjoying cante, baile and toque well into the night at three different small venues: Peña La Platería, Cueva La Fragua and Venta El Gallo. Artists such as cantaora Carmen Grilo, bailaor Nacho Blanco and cantaores Pepe de Pura, José Valencia and Chanquete take part in this season of late night sessions. One important thing to bear in mind is that these smaller recitals, all beginning at midnight, have very limited audience numbers.

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