Flamenco queen, a new Carmen in Beijing
- Source: Global Times
- [22:09 November 26 2009]
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By Xu Liuliu
Cristina Hoyos performing in Carmen.
As the rhythmic clapping that accompanies traditional flamenco music starts, one of the world's leading flamenco dancers, Cristina Hoyos, passionately moves her feet and body to the rising tempo, painting a visual canvas of movement. Each clap of her hands is a scream from her heart and every crack of her heel, an act of defiance.
For the second time in two years, Hoyos, one of Spain's most prominent flamenco dancers, will bring her passionate and fiery traditions of Spanish dance to Beijing with Spain's premier dance group, Metros Dansa. Hoyos will play the witch in a modern flamenco dance version of the classic Carmen, which will be staged at Poly Theater tomorrow and Sunday.
Hoyos told the Global Times that she will play the character of the witch, an important alter ego that controls Carmen's destiny.
"The witch is actually the spiritual Carmen, who knows everything. It is where the spirit of flamenco lays. She also bridges the whole storyline," Hoyos explained.
Carmen has long been a popular piece in China and tells the story of a love tragedy of beautiful gipsy girl Carmen, in Seville, Spain. The modern rendition of Carmen by Metros Dansa is the first of its kind since the show's debut performance in 1875.
"This time, we want to make a difference, recomposing Carmen with modern dance. Any art form that will help build the character has been adopted," Hoyos said, adding that people will still be able to find their original favorite part in the new adaptation.
The 63-year-old veteran flamenco dancer rose to fame in the onscreen versions of Carmen and Blood Wedding, which also helped win flamenco dance an international audience in the 1980s. In 1992, Hoyos was chosen to perform in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Barcelona Olympics, sharing the honorable moment with great tenor Placido Domingo.
"It is very difficult being a flamenco artist," Hoyos said. "You need to keep practicing year after year. Many of my partners stopped due to unbearable pains and hardship. Young dancers mainly practice skills while dancers at my age need to balance their minds."
