Text: Sonia Martínez Pariente
Photos: Rafael Manjavacas Lara
Estrella Morente, the most talked-about flamenco
singer of 2005, has premiered her show “Estrella 1922”
in Madrid. The theater was sold out for the complete four-day
run of the Granada woman. This contemporary flamenco artist
transports us to the past with a show that pays tribute to
the 1922 flamenco contest a group of major figures, including
Lorca, Falla, Gómez de la Serna, from the world of
music and literature organized to support the art of flamenco
with the presence of stars such as Antonio Chacón or
Pastora Pavón, “La Niña de los Peines”,
a singer Estrella has always admired.
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A
typical flamenco group from Sacromonte opens the show with
dancers and singers from several generations. Without a doubt
the elders added a great deal of flamenco flavor.
Estrella Morente appears, and her mere presence on stage,
dressed in the style of the Ladrón de Guevara, stirs
excitement. She reminds one of a flamenco performer of long
ago, but with the sophistication that characterizes her style.
To assure the conquest, she seduces with her strong points:
zambra, tangos and fandango abandolao. Estrella moves about
freely, with her characteristic gestures and postures, her
dance and song, as when she interprets verses of Lorca in
the Morente style with that voice of hers and a richness of
tones.
After the more popular music, Estrella moves into strictly
flamenco forms. Sitting alongside, guest artist guitarist
Tomatito accompanies on this opening night, and the first
cante is malagueñas. Estrella sings with great delicacy.
In the siguiriyas she takes her time, pushing the arabesques
to the limit, always melodious. The ending was tangos and
bulerías where Tomatito had brilliant moments that
greatly enhanced Morente’s singing.
Estrella dared to come out for the end in a bata de cola,
dancing on an elevated stage to the music of Falla and we
knew we were in the presence of a complete artiste. She is
also the most flamenco element of the fiesta finale along
with “La Porrona”, the most traditional gypsy
from the group. Despite the audience’s standing ovation
and pleading for an encore, there was no curtain call and
truly we were all left wishing there had been more.
Mi Cante y un Poema – Estrella Morente
Calle del Aire – Estrella Morente
Colección Manuel de Falla – Colección
Federico García Lorca – I Concurso de
Cante Jondo
