Rancapino, Carmen Linares, Israel Galván and Tomatito, among others, on the bill

Flamenco-world.com, January 2005
Photos: Daniel Muñoz

Caja Madrid designs its thirteenth festival. From February 15th to 19th, 2005, the Albéniz Theater in the Spanish capital will live through five intense days of flamenco in the shape of a festival. The inauguration of the event in Madrid will be the concert by Enrique Morente entitled ‘La belleza de la creación’ (‘The Beauty of Creation’). Though cante continues to prevail on the bill, the festival doesn't forget baile and opens itself up to other instruments such as concert guitar and piano. Carmen Linares, Rancapino, Fernando Terremoto and José Menese; Israel Galván and El Güito; Tomatito, Chano Domínguez and Dorantes, among others, stand out in the program. In this edition, the festival presents the ‘Calle de Alcalá’ Award to Mario Maya and its lifetime achievement award to Pilar López. During the previous week, lectures and performances by young flamenco talents will take place at La Casa Encendida.

Enrique Morente

When Enrique Morente gets up on stage at the Albéniz Theater on Tuesday night, February 15th, the 13th Caja Madrid Festival 2005 will be inaugurated. Following this solo performance, the festival will resume its traditional collective format on Wednesday the 16th with cantaores Salmonete de Jerez and Rancapino in the first part entitled ‘El sentir más jondo’ (‘The Most Jondo Feeling’); presentation of the ‘Calle de Alcalá’ Award to baile maestros Mario Maya and Pilar López; and a second part with the revival of the show ‘Mis recuerdos’ (‘My Memories’) by Madrilenian bailaor El Güito.

On Thursday the 17th, the festival offers another double flamenco program. The first part, entitled ‘De voz de madera’ (‘With a Wooden Voice’), will star Carmen Linares, who will be accompanied by Juan Carlos Romero and Paco Cruzado on guitars, and Antonio Carbonell on percussion. With the name ‘The Golden Age’, the second part juxtaposes performances by bailaor Israel Galván, on the one hand, and cantaor Fernando Terremoto, on the other.

The fourth day begins with performances each by José de la Tomasa and Manolo Franco; and José Menese with Enrique de Melchor. The second part involves the opening up of a new road, that of instrumental flamenco fusion. Cádiz-born pianist Chano Domínguez will present the album ‘Oye cómo viene’ with his group, consisting of drummer Marc Miralta, contrabass player Mario Rossy, cantaor Blas Córdoba and bailaor and clapper Tomasito.

	Fernando Terremoto

The festival concludes with another entirely instrumental show. The first part will be handled by Tomatito, with a performance called ‘Al mariyya’, just like the bulerías opening his album ‘Aguadulce’. Sharing the limelight in the second part are pianist Dorantes and cantaora Esperanza Fernández, who will carry out the concert ‘Voz y marfil’ (‘Voice and Ivory’) together with bass player Manuel Nieto and percussionist Tete Peña.

Other activities

The Caja Madrid Social Work Project goes beyond the program of performances at the Albéniz Theater. During the week prior to the festival, four days of lectures and performances by young cante and toque talents are scheduled at La Casa Encendida. On Tuesday, February 8th, Félix Grande and Juan Verdú will speak about ‘Flamencos Today’, while Salomé Pavón will sing accompanied on guitar by José María Melero. The following day, Manuel Ríos Ruiz will talk about ‘El Gloria, Cepero and Mojama, Three Essential Cantaores from Jerez’. Next, Juan Zarzuela will offer a cante performance with Alberto San Miguel on guitar. Then on Thursday the 10th, José Manuel Gamboa will present the lecture ‘The History of Flamenco Guitar’; and cantaor Pedro Sanz and guitarist Fernando de la Rúa will perform. The last day is scheduled for Friday the 11th with the concert by Pitingo and Fernando Soto entitled ‘The Youngest Flamenco at La Casa Encendida’.

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