The 'Rito y geografía del baile'
series is reissued on DVD

'Rito y geografía del toque' is also now available in digital format

Flamenco-world.com, October 2003

The audiovisual flamenco catalog moves with the times. To assure the survival of this "monumental" production, Alga Editores is releasing a digital edition of the 'Rites and geography of dance' series, until now only available in VHS format. The series of twelve DVDs contains footage broadcast by Spanish network RTVE in the 70s, with performances and dialogue by legendary flamenco figures. There are those who are no longer with us - like Farruco, Vicente Escudero, Antonio, or Enrique el Cojo. There are leading veterans on today's flamenco stage, such as Matilde Coral, El Güito, or Mario Maya. And there were newcomers who have since achieved stardom, such as Manuela Carrasco, Cristina Hoyos or Merche Esmeralda.

Matilde Coral (Frame from DVD 'Rito y geografía del baile')

According to the editors, the collection aims to provide "a showcase on the world of flamenco dance back then, and also to show a little bit of history, recreating scenes and types of dance that are hardly even used today, but which form the foundations of all types of modern dance." Thus 'Rito y geografía del baile' opens with a journey in search of the roots of flamenco, recreating traditional Andalusian bailes de candil, thought to be a precursor to flamenco, later marries poetry with flamenco dance and then offers a piece about Tomás de Madrid. Volume two covers public fiestas, before taking a look at Manuela Carrasco and Merche Esmeralda. The third DVD kicks off with a taste of a 'café cantante', later focusing on the work of Manuela Vargas and Paco Romero. The next takes a delve into the history of flamenco theater, looks at the life of the Biencasaos family, and shows highlights from Mario Maya's emblematic production 'Ay, jondo'. The fifth volume opens with a return to the world of the 'café cantante', then goes on to introduce El Mimbre and his sister Matilde Coral. And the sixth takes a look at private fiestas, before putting Sara Lezana, Manuel Soler and Pepa Montes in the spotlight.

The relationship between folklore and flamenco is explored on the seventh disc, which also takes a look at the legacy of Enrique el Cojo and the dance of Flora Albaicín. Volume eight focuses on dance instruction and technique, taking in several academies including Fernando Belmonte's in Jerez. The next episode looks at the golden era of flamenco theater, with Antonio as the leading figure, then moves on to show two pieces by bailaora Carmen Mora. The tenth part takes in some of the era's contributions to flamenco, especially 'Ay, jondo' and Cristina Hoyos dancing soleá por bulerías. The penultimate DVD also takes a look at the then current state of flamenco dance, with a feature on El Güito. And the series is rounded off with a piece on the history of baile flamenco, and looks at the legendary Farruco and his dynasty. And of course all of these episodes feature vocal and guitar performances, provided by some of the finest performers of the era - cantaores such as Chocolate, José Mercé, Carmen Linares, Chano Lobato, Talegón, Ramón el Portugués, and guitarists such as Pedro Bacán, Melchor de Marchena and Pepe Habichuela, to name but a few.

Mario Maya and El Güito (Frame from DVD 'Rito y geografía del baile')

Guitarists also on DVD

The same editorial recently launched the DVD collection dedicated to the guitar: 'Rito y geografía del toque'. The series, consisting of four volumes in digital format, covers television shows featuring performances by legendary guitarists up until 1982. Paco de Lucía, Niño Ricardo, Tomatito, Sabicas and Serranito are just a handful of the giants of toque whose work is the crowning glory of this essential collection.

FRAMES GALLERY FROM DVD 'RITO Y GEOGRAFÍA DEL BAILE'

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