Flamenco is Spanish jazz: Mota
This is a scene from “Carmen Mota’s Fuego,” which was performed in 2008 at the LG Arts Center in Seoul. A new performance is being presented in the form of a dinner theater through Dec. 23. / Courtesy of Sheraton Grande Walkerhill
Legendary flamenco dancer Carmen Mota poses for the camera during an interview held Monday in Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Rachel Lee
By Rachel Lee
Spain’s flamenco queen, Carmen Mota, now creative director of her own company, is once again captivating Korean audiences with her troupe’s latest sensational show.
Mota is back in Seoul bringing with her a production “Carmen Mota’s Fuego,” which had its first night Monday in the Walkerhill Theater at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, Seoul. This time, the performance is presented in the form of a dinner theater, which includes a champagne reception and a Spanish 5-course set dinner.
“I feel very comfortable and beloved in Korea so I am greatly excited to be here again,” said the 79-year-old flamenco legend Monday during an interview at the venue.
The production, “Carmen Mota’s Fuego,” directed by Mota and her son Joaquin Marcelo, consists of two acts; the first experiments with crossover styles, while the second act’s main focus lies in more traditional Spanish elements. During the show, live flamenco music and vocals blend with music from composers of both ancient and modern times and magnificent costumes and lighting sets accentuate the sensual choreography. The Spanish word “Fuego” means “fire” in English.
“Compared to our last ‘fuego’ performance here in 2009, there is a slight change. You will see a longer male solo part in the second act,” Mota said.
The choreographer is well known for mixing traditional flamenco with tango and contemporary dance. Her popularity grew following the start of her own company la Compania de Danza Carmen Mota, established in 1977.
Her 10th creation “Carmen Mota’s Alma,” which was also co-produced with her son, had its world premiere in Korea and garnered rave reviews from media and the audience.
“We thought it was a great idea to have the world premiere of ‘Alma’ in Korea as we have been here many times before and we have had good experiences so far,” said Mota.
She also brought “Carmen Mota’s Esencia De Amor” and “Carmen Mota’s Airam” in 2006 and 2008.
Mota, regarded as a representative of authentic Spanish dance, began learning flamenco at the age of seven.
“I always knew I wanted to be a dancer since I was very young so I convinced my parents of my passion and told them that I wanted to attend classes,” she said. “First, I had to learn ballet first as it is the basis of all forms of dance. I learned Spanish folk dance afterwards.”
According to the director, she and her company have always had a warm reception from around the world. With regard to the reaction of the audience, she thinks there are some similarities between the Spanish and Korean people. “I think the Korean audience is very expressive, especially in the way they say thank you. They shout and it feels passionate and very familiar to Spanish people like us,” she said.
Asked how she defines the flamenco dance, the director said it is the “culture of people, the expression of the culture and it’s the way of expressing heritage, which combines with passion happiness, sadness and even sexuality.” “But at the same time, I compare it with jazz, in which you improvise. You have the technique and you improvise. Flamenco is the same. I would describe flamenco as Spanish Jazz.”
Mota has performed and directed productions in many countries; making her one of the busiest women in the world of dancing.
“We have plans after this show but I can’t tell anyone [...] You know why? It’s because we have this superstition that once artists share their upcoming plans with someone, something bad happens. So I can’t tell anything about our future plans,” she said.
The 110-minute performance (including 20-minute intermission) runs through Dec. 23 at Sheraton Grande Walkerhill in Seoul. Tickets (all VIP seats) cost 266,000 won including dinner. For more information, call (02) 455-5000 or 1544-1555.