Pasquale Tato – Special Correspondent to Flamenco Buzz reviews:
Flamenco desde abajo (Flamenco from the Roots)

Presented by Suffolk University & Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas

Director and Choreographer – Isabel Fernández López
Musical Director – José Luis Silva ("Morito")

November 30, 2009, 4:00 pm
C. Walsh Theatre
55 Temple Street, Suffolk University
Boston, MA 02114

For the second year in a row, Suffolk University and the Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas of Madrid have teamed up to present a wonderful Flamenco performance. Staged by members of Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas: Flamenco desde abajo (Flamenco from the Roots) served once again to highlight Suffolk University's commitment to its remarkable cultural exchange program with Spain. The program is centered around its Madrid Campus, where you can now take a three-week intensive Flamenco class at the Casa Patas studios, in either the spring or summer, and get four credits from Suffolk University. How nifty is that!

Director/Choreographer Isabel Fernández López and Musical Director José Luis Silva ("Morito") were able to put together a show that perfectly captured a variety of Flamenco styles and moods, serving as a fantastic introduction to the genre for the many in the audience who may have been new to Flamenco and who responded with unbounded enthusiasm.

The company consisted of seven highly skilled performers: the same José Luis Silva ("Morito") and the accomplished Jordi Albarrán on the guitar; the versatile Diego Villegas on flute, saxophone, clarinet and harmonica; the excellent cantaores Francisco Luis Trinidad Ángel ("El Trini de la Isla") and Sara Salado; and two fabulous dancers: the same Isabel Fernández López and Felipe Mato. Since the lineup did not include a cajón player, percussion was provided by the skillful palmas of both dancers and singers, most notably Ms. Salado.

The show opened with a beautiful tangos, Alter Ego, featuring the expressive, masterful Ms. López and the entire musical ensemble. The rich sounds of Mr. Villegas' flute complemented those of the exquisitely-played guitars, while the melodious voice of the lovely Ms. Salado and the husky, haunting voice of "El Trini de la Isla" took turns in delighting the audience.

The next number, Tacita de plata (Silver Cup), a lively alegrías, was brilliantly performed by singer "El Trini de la Isla" superbly accompanied by second guitarist Jordi Albarrán. Then followed a martinete, Como palo en candela (Like a Candlestick), featuring all seven performers: a truly outstanding number.

The fourth number was an evocative instrumental piece featuring the distinguished tocaor "Morito" accompanied by Diego Villegas on harmonica. It is not every day that you get to hear Flamenco harmonica, and Mr. Villegas set a very high standard. But "Morito" stole the show with the delightful sounds he was able to elicit from his guitar, especially a mesmerizing tremolo.

The instrumental was followed by a guajira, Cambiando de aire (Change of Air), which showcased the bailaor Felipe Mato, accompanied by the musical ensemble. And shine Mr. Mato did with his exceptional energy and polish. This number also provided an opportunity for the cantaora "Sarita" Salado to impress the audience with her exceptional interpretive abilities.

The sixth number, Bulería, featured the entire musical ensemble, but neither dancer. "El Trini de la Isla" and Sara Salado took turns at singing, but it was the latter's deep, passionate alto that was especially highlighted in this number. The voluptuous jerezana held forth right in center stage, literally reminding the audience that, to sing like that, you need to have been born in Jerez.

Then followed a soleá, Mi niña (My Girl), beautifully performed by Isabel López, decked out in bata de cola and mantilla, accompanied by the singers and guitarists. The señora, as some of the musicians called out to her, was stunning, displaying great skills and feeling in her footwork, braceo, and precise handling of the treacherous bata de cola.

A gripping finale, Andalucía Cuchichi, and fin de fiesta completed the show, which did not feature an intermission. All artists were on stage, taking turns at dazzling the enraptured audience. Particularly impressive were Mr. Villegas, this time on saxophone, the fiery, beautiful "Sarita" Salado, and the more restrained but exceptionally captivating señora López.

The ecstatic audience rose to give the artists repeated standing ovations. And surely they were richly deserved. The only negative, if there was one in this otherwise wonderful performance, was represented by the stage floor of the Walsh Theatre, which is not ideally suited to Flamenco dancing and made the zapateado sound a bit flat.

The show was sponsored by Suffolk University (Boston), Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas (Madrid), the Ministerio de Cultura de España (Madrid), the Spanish Consulate of Boston, and the Suffolk University Alumni Association (Boston).

The performance was followed by a lovely reception, held in the foyer of the Frank J. Donahue Building, next door, at 41 Temple Street. It was there that, as I briefly visited the rest room and stooped to toss a paper towel into the trash bin, I accidentally banged my head against the corner of a poorly-placed shelf. The collision left me with a small hole in the middle of the forehead. Wow, I thought to myself, Flamenco really does open your third eye!

PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES:

Isabel Fernández López ~ Dancer and choreographer
Isabel Fernández López began performing in her native Sevilla as a young girl. A multi-faceted dancer, she received formal flamenco instruction from the masters Manolo Marín, Manolo León, and “la Toná;” and studied classical ballet at the Conservatory of Sevilla. Her technical expertise and creative choreography have led to a highly successful career in Andalucía and abroad. She has a particularly devoted following in Japan and often travels to Tokyo to perform and teach classes.

Felipe Mato ~ Dancer
Felipe Mato is a choreographer and dancer trained in flamenco, classical ballet, and other traditional Spanish dances. He has performed in shows throughout Spain, including the Biennial Sevilla Flamenco Festival, the largest and most celebrated event of its kind in the world. His talent has also taken him to competitions and shows in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Mexico, and Japan.

Francisco Luis Trinidad Angel (“El trini de la isla”) ~ Singer
From Andalucía, Spain, Francisco Luis Trinidad Angel began his study of singing and the intense hand-clapping accompaniment characteristic of flamenco music when he was 15. He has toured across Europe and in Venezuela, Israel, China, and the United States, collaborating with great flamenco dancers including Juan Ogalla, Rosario Toledo, Mercedes Ruiz, Andres Pena, Chiqui de Jerez, Jose Barrios, Manuela López, and Guadalupe Torres.

Sara Salado ~ Singer
Flamenco singer Sara Salado began performing in her native Jerez de la Frontera at the age of three. She has been the headline attraction and guest artist in various international companies and shows, performing in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. Salado is featured on the albums of the Rancapino family and singer Calixto Sánchez.

José Luis Silva “Morito” ~ Guitarist
José Luis Silva “Morito” has dedicated his life to flamenco guitar. Audiences in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Japan, Holland, and Bosnia have enjoyed his music. Film audiences know him thanks to his contribution to a number of movie soundtracks, including The Tarantos and Montoyas by director Vicente Escrivá. Morito also has had the distinction of being personal guitarist to the Duchess of Alba.

Jordi Albarrán ~ Guitarist
Jordi Albarrán began his studies under flamenco guitar master Cañizares at the age of 12 and has since played in countless festivals in Spain and abroad. In addition to accompanying some of the greatest contemporary flamenco dancers, including Felipe Mato, Albarrán has recorded a series of television programs for Cataluña TV and composed songs for the movie Lola, The Gypsy by director Llorenç Serra.

Diego Villegas ~ Flute, saxophone, clarinet, and harmonica
Multi-instrumentalist Diego Villegas—from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain—began studying the classical guitar at eight and continued with the clarinet and symphonic percussion. He has worked in many musical genres, including pop, house, funk, jazz, and salsa, as well as flamenco. Villegas has performed throughout Europe, North Africa, Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

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