By Fred Hadley
Now at the theater in Sunnyside is “Encuentro Flamenco” (Flamenco Encounter) by the Andrea Del Conte Danza Espana.
The emotionally layered dance form attempts to bring out pure expressions of soul through the singing and dancing of the players. More mournful than joyous, flamenco explores the pain of unrequited love and other failures in life.
Flamenco actually dates back to the Middle Ages in southern Spain's Andalusia region, its largest and most populous.
The production at Thalia Spanish Theatre , 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., through Dec. 17 is a vibrant collection of dance numbers fairly bursting with el duende. The Danza Espana, a 10-member ensemble led by upstate Rochester native Andrea Del Conte, tours around the country and conducts workshops for children of all ages and backgrounds. The company received the 1999 Association of Latin Critics ACE award for excellence of theatrical performance at the Thalia and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at the
Yale Club of New York.
In the piece, “Mundo de Soledad” (Lonely World) now premiering, dancers Maya de Silva and Argentinean Paco Forquera perform against a projected backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Choreographed by Javier Latorre, the work is based on a poem by Federico Garcia Lorca. The theme of despair and solitude are convincingly expressed by the duo as they interpret through dance the poem which includes the line, “Dawn arrives and no one receives it in his mouth, because tomorrow and hope are impossible there.?”
Dancer/singer/choreographer Aurora Reyes, now in her ninth season with Danza Espana, solos in “Me Voy Contigo” (Rumba), accompanied by 4-count, Cuban music by Remedios Amaya. Reyes teaches flamenco at the Catherine Kingsley Ballet Studio in Manhattan and co-directs her own company, “Flamenco Latino.”
Yloy Ybarra, director of his company, “Ballet Fiesta Mexicana” which enjoyed a successful run at the Thalia last year, solos in “Alegrias,” a dance that shows style, footwork and line. Ybarra has received several grants and awards for his work with children, working closely with the Young Audiences of New York.
Company head Andrea Del Conte appears throughout the program and is featured in “Solea/Solea Por Buleria,” exploring the perfect form of Cante Flamenco.
Rounding out the company are guitarists Basilio Georges and Arturo Martinez, singers Alfonso Mogaburo and David Castellano, and percussionist Sean Kupicz.
“Encuentro Flamenco,” a good match for the holidays, is performed on Fridays and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. Call 718-729-3880 for ticket information.
