Blink and you might miss Israel Galvan’s moves.
Known for his “lightning-quick” footwork, Galvan – one of the world’s best-known flamenco dancers – has travelled from Seville, Spain, to bring his hit show La Curva to the New Zealand Festival.
But the performance will not be flamenco as you know it. Stripped of its “histrionics”, La Curva is an experimental, contemporary form of the dance.
The traditional flamenco guitar is replaced by a piano score, and there is only a hint of the traditional Spanish sound in the three performers who join Garvan on stage.
“It’s not the typical traditional flamenco aesthetic but we try to bring out the flamenco feeling in each person,” Galvan says.
“As I dance, I need the freedom to express myself, but without pulling too far away from the roots that sustain me.”
The name of the show reflects this, he says through a translator.
“It is a symbolic name.
“In one meaning, it refers to a curved line that goes from the traditional, rooted, earthy singing of Ines Bacan and the accompaniment of Bobote to the contemporary piano music of Sylvie Courvoisier.”
Galvan has won most prizes available for a flamenco dancer including Spain’s prestigious Golden Fine Arts Medal in 2012 and the Spanish National Dance Prize.
Next month he will perform another work La Edad de Oro (“the golden age”) in the Vancouver International Dance Festival. The title refers to an era from the late 1800s to the 1930s, which historians view as the peak of flamenco. Supposedly no dancer today can match the quality from that age. Some critics would argue that Galvan is the exception.
Tonight, a Spanish carnival will be held on the waterfront near St Johns Bar from 8pm. Alongside a number of other festival performers, La Curva vocalist Bacan and rhythmic accompanist Bobote will attend.
But the strict Galvan was unlikely to allow himself the time off.
“I use all my free time to work . . . And after dancing, I need to be in silence,” he says.
“To me, I have to express myself, and give way to my artistic will.”
The flamenco tradition was in Galvan’s blood, he says. “When my mother was pregnant, she was a dancer – so I have been dancing from then.”
THE DETAILS
La Curva by Israel Galvan, Opera House, until Sunday, 7pm.
Ad Feedback
–
