LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dorothy Chandler Pavilion presented, on April 22 and 23, 2006, the internationally acclaimed Nuevo Ballet Español. The company was founded, choreographed and directed by Spanish born Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodríguez, who created the new flamenco interpretation trend.
Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodríguez's vision of flamenco consists of a fusion of flamenco puro (pure) with contemporary and classical dance.
Unlike traditional flamenco, the two principal male, rather than the female, dancers have the spotlight. The dancing is choreographed, as opposed to improvised, and includes ensemble in addition to solo dancing.
The opening dance, "Directos" de-emphasizes gender altogether and instead draws the audience's attention to synchronized arms and hands movement through the use of dim lighting and identical black tops and pants of the nine cast members.
Beautifully coordinated step performances by the entire cast were also present in "Playa Del Alma"and "Ámanos".
The duets "Horizontes" "Lunáticos" and "Mahera" included expressive dancing, brisk, rythmic footwork and clapping.
The two solo pieces "Siento" and "De Corazón" performed by the principal dancers Carlos Rodríguez and Angel Rojas brought down the house with their exceptional zapateado, the extremely fast, energetic and precise foot taps characteristic of traditional flamenco.
Costume designer Paloma Gómez simplified the costumes with the aim of placing focus on flamenco movements without interfering with the practicality of movements and aesthetics. The costumes of the female dancers consisted of simple, either white or brown, swirling dresses.
A live seven-member music ensemble included two Spanish guitars, percussion, violoncello and flute along with two singers who used Fado laments. The music, composed by the Nuevo team, was well integrated with the dances.
Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodríguez generated excitement and laughter with their expressive movements.
The audience would often spontaneously break into a standing-ovation in the dark, during the performance.
The last standing-ovation led to the customary "fin de fiesta" in which the musical group, rather than the dancers, improvised flamenco dancing and singer Maria del Mar Fernandez sang a solo.
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