FIVE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES OF “EL AMOR BRUJO”

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by Muriel Feiner
Photos supplied

Madrid’s Teatro Real will offer five extraordinary performances of El amor brujo, by Manuel de Falla, with choreography by Víctor Ullate, which will be performed by his own company with the guest appearance of dancer Rubén Olmo, and popular flamenco singer Estrella Morente, between December 29 and January 3.

This will be a new version of the production which Ullate first created in 1994 but this time he has designed a new staging and wardrobe, with musical effects by Luis Delgado and the inclusion of the In Slaughter Natives group.

El amor brujo, translated at times as Betwitched Love, was composed by Cadiz-born Manuel de Falla, originally as a chamber piece, which he later transformed into a symphonic suite and then a ballet, with a very Andalusian ambience. It includes the popular “Fire Dance”.

The Teatro Real’s Orchestra will be accompanied by the brilliant voice of flamenco star Estrella Morente.

Ullate described his Amor Brujo this way: “It will be filled with fantasy in a narrative spectrum, with a very clear, dark and almost phantasmagoric presence of the dead.” In addition, Ullate has included three popular songs written by Falla: Nana, Polo and Asturiana.

Singer Estrella Morente expressed her excitement at participating in this work: “I feel highly privileged to perform in the Teatro Real, this temple of music, beside a true maestro, Victor Ullate.”  The singer will not only be singing but she will also participate in the dance.

El Amor Brujo will be presented in the Teatro Real on December 29 and 30 and January 2 and 3, the last day with a double session at 5 and 8 p.m.