Sangre y Raza

FLAMENCO/CLASSICAL ESPANOL DANCE COMPANY

MADRID SPAIN

the company

The Sangre y Raza (SYR) company was born in 2014 from the association between director lighting engineer Carlos Fajardo and choreographer Juan Manuel Prieto.

The latter has just returned from Japan, where he led a major project with the “Alegria” school-company, with a very clear idea in mind: Spanish dance, in all its aspects, deserves the opportunity to be shown to the world.

Between the two artists was born the need to fight for a common cause: the recognition of Spanish dance, to create and to let themselves be carried by the different branches that make it up. Built on the foundations Juan Manuel Prieto received from his school, the RCPD “Marienma”, the particular conception of Carlos Fajardo’s shows is the essence of all his creations.

The company reappropriates the great timeless ballets of Spanish dance.

the artistic director

Carlos Fajardo’s interest in theater began at the tender age of 18, when he was studying art history at the University of Granada. At the age of 22, he moved to Madrid and took an imaging course, specializing in lighting design for shows. Since then, he has designed lighting for major artists such as Jorge Drexler, and international shows such as the production of West Side Story for the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Ecuador.

In 2014, he founded the company De Sangre Y Raza, which later became Sange y Raza (SYR), in which he works not only as a designer, leading him to specialize in lighting design for dance, but also as a producer and director. Since then, he has directed works such as Carmen by Mérimeé, ARAT by Fellah-mangú and Versos, which was his first contact with dramatic screenwriting.

the shows

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CREDITS

Choreography by Juan Manuel Prieto
Director: Carlos Fajardo
Music: Bizet, José Nieto, Juan AMaya, José Galván, Ramón Perelló y Ródenas
Original music: Daniel Yagüe
Lighting and sets: Carlos Fajardo
Costumes : Carmen Granell
Running time: 115 mns + intermission

The idea of recreating the ballet from Carmen has been on Juan Manuel Prieto’s mind for years. After bringing a small sketch of the work to the stage during one of his trips to Japan, in the show created for Mari Fujimura’s school company, he and Carlos Fajardo decided to create their own version of the story.

This piece stands out for its attempt to escape the cliché of Bizet’s Carmen. He created a Carmen closer to Mérimée’s creation. The work aims to bring the viewer closer to the reality of the novel, using dance and performance as equal parts language and thread.

In order to preserve some of the essence of Carmen that international audiences have come to cherish in their collective imaginations, we have kept some of the music created by Bizet for his opera of the same name, embellished it with music created by the great masters for the flamenco versions, and added a more narrative and cinematographic character that contributes to more dramatic atmospheres. The lighting, in a tenebrous tone, the creation of the spaces where the book takes place and the period costumes help the spectator to enter into the plot.

Based on the idea that the story originated in Andalusia in the 19th century, and knowing the influence that this region received from the Arabs, the story passes through the filter of the fusion of cultures. She tries to be faithful to the costumes and to create spaces and sensations typical of classical ballets through lighting and set design.

The spectator is projected into the plot, with the feeling of being there, of being part of the story.

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“Alma Española” is an exciting and passionate show that showcases the rich diversity of Spanish dance in all its forms. With a cast of thirteen talented dancers who have won several national awards, this production is a unique celebration of Spain’s cultural heritage and its influence on the art of dance.

The show consists of a succession of pieces that encompass all the Spanish dance schools, creating an unforgettable experience for the audience. From the elegance of Escuela Bolera to the intensity of flamenco, via stylization, folklore, flamenco fusion and classical Spanish, each piece showcases the versatility and virtuosity of the dancers.

With captivating music and meticulously crafted choreography, the troupe immerses itself in every style of dance, taking the audience on an emotional and visual journey that highlights the essence and beauty of Spanish dance.

The dancers, with their exceptional skills, dazzle audiences at every performance, offering moments of intensity, delicacy and exuberance. Their artistic expressions reflect Spain’s rich culture and history, underlining the deep connection between the Spanish soul and dance.

“Alma Española” is a living testimony to the transformative power of dance and its ability to touch hearts and transcend cultural barriers. It’s a must-see show that celebrates the passion, virtuosity and diversity of Spanish dance, and leaves a lasting impression on all spectators privileged enough to attend.

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CREDITS

Choreography by Juan Manuel Prieto and Mayte Chico
General Management: Juan Manuel Prieto and Carlos Fajardo
Stage direction: Carlos Fajardo
Duration: 75 mns without intermission