Flamenco Season starts at the Santa Ana

"Flamenco-200 Years Young" 
By Luis Clemente

Flamenco is a young art form that has existed for only two centuries. Following the incorporation of the guitar, it has been in constant flux. A movement that carried over from 19th century romanticism, it is one of the richest and most singular forms of music in the world. It can not remain stagnant, because its eclectic origin is an undeniable fact. The passing of time has defined the limits of the word flamenco.

Flamenco is all about absorption and metabolism. The concept of fusion is very old, but it has been referred to in different ways, and sometimes it has taken place unintentionally. Many years ago, Caracol said, "You can sing with an orchestra, and you can sing with bagpipes! You can sing with everything! With bagpipes, with a violin, with a flute..." 'New flamenco' is not a product of the 1980's, and, for decades, other kinds of flamenco has existed. Movement is the essential and determining factor. Movement implies life.

Flamenco's origins are shrouded in darkness. Following a hazy period of mythology and mystery, the initial references, which at first seemed so closed and hermetic, are being pushed aside to reveal the most genuine product of Andalusian culture. All folklore comes from old traditions, from collective creations, but it is thought that flamenco is a little over two centuries old. Speculation beyond this point is no more than an exotic whim, a pipe dream, and a flight of fancy in absence of logical assumption.

In the 19th century, flamenco was defined as we now know it. The word 'flamenco' was first applied to the art around the middle of the century. According to researchers, the first flamenco artists arrived in Madrid in 1853, and in 1881, the first "Colección de cantes flamencos" was published, written by Antonio Machado y Álvarez. By that time, an ongoing dispute had already become apparent between two groups: When flamenco became professional in the cafés cantantes, one group defended the uncontaminated purity of the art form, and the other defended its projection through new channels.

The 20th century was a period of recreation, copy and restoration, and interpretation.

The Santa Ana Theater is proud to present to you tonight the summer season debut of the flamenco ensemble, Junta Flamenca, starring flamenco dancers Angela Garcia "La Yerbabuena", Lorena Vargas, Alfredo Enriquez, and their famed accompanists and soloists, including the internationally acclaimed Guillermo Blanco on guitar, and the vivid percussion of Victor Monterubio. Live tonight as you've never lived before. Live the moment and the movement that is Flamenco. Breathe the air of its passion and mystery. Join us at the Santa Ana Theater in the Biblioteca Publica at 5:00 p.m. Tickets, 200 pesos, are on sale at the theater box office starting now.