Fiery Flamenco to Sizzle Seoul
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Experience the passion and energy of Spanish flamenco with Carmen Mota's ``Fuego!'' at LG Arts Center, southern Seoul this week.
Meaning ``fire'' in Spanish, ``Fuego!'' is an internationally renowned dance performance carried out by some of the best flamenco masters in the world, choreographed by the son of legendary flamenco dancer Carmen Mota, Joaquin Marcelo, and produced by Wayne Fowkes who worked on famous musicals like ``Notre Dame de Paris,'' ``Jesus Christ Superstar'' and ``Don Juan.''
Meeting local fans the third time already, the celebrated troupe, led by Mota herself, will offer the lust, spirit and passion of the famous gypsy dance.
Instead of presenting only the original works of flamenco, ``Fuego!'' managed to incorporate a more Las Vegas-style flamboyance to the overall performance, and has successfully brought the Spanish dance to the international level.
Through reinterpretations and mixing modern dance moves, costumes and stage settings between the original works, ``Fuego!'' has become a performance that everyone, from young to old, can enjoy.
Last year's performance was a big hit among dance lovers ― as well as those who were not well acquainted with the Spanish dance ― with the audience giving the dancers a standing ovation and many throwing roses and flowers at the end of the performance.
The event was an all-around success ― beautiful costumes, simple, yet effective stage settings and impeccable lighting.
This year will be extra special as the ``Fuego!'' team has prepared a present for local fans: the world premiere of brand new numbers.
According to organizers, the new opening number is based on French composer Joseph-Maurice Ravel's orchestral piece ``Bolero,'' while there will also be a new song that incorporates the strong rhythms of the tango.
``Fuego'' starts with the 20 dancers dressed in clean cut black and white suits, dresses and felt hats. Stomping wooden canes on the floor for rhythm, the dancers will present a modernized version of flamenco, complete with quick snaps of the wrists and sharp footwork.
The second scene will be more faithful to the roots of flamenco, with the red, orange and bright yellow flowing costumes; dark sexy makeup; and powerful footwork, also known as the ``Zapateado.''
Visitors will get to experience the Spanish energy throughout the performance. Along with the fiery movements of the dancers, the troupe's band will present live music at the sidelines of the stage.
The band's trademark instruments, including guitars, a percussion box, castanets and singers, will lead the troupe and the audience to the mysterious and intense world of flamenco.
As Mota puts it, ``You can only feel (flamenco) by heart,'' and local fans will have the chance to enjoy the original fiery dance work without having to travel for Spain.
The performance is currently on a tour, stopping by Lisbon, Portugal, and after the Seoul show, it will move on to Thailand, Bangkok for the Bangkok's International Festival of Dance and Music in October.
``Fuego!'' will meet fans at the LG Arts Center June 9-14. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.credia.co.kr or call (02) 517-0394.