wed 11/12/2024

Estrella Morente, Sadler's Wells Flamenco Festival | reviews, news & interviews

Estrella Morente, Sadler's Wells Flamenco Festival

Estrella Morente, Sadler's Wells Flamenco Festival

A singer gets closer to her sound equipment than to her audience

Estrella Morente: Putting the mike sound before the live experience

Every February the Sadler’s Wells flamenco festival summons the illusion of Spanish sun onto our chilled, grateful backs - this year singers are getting almost as much prominence as dancers. But what sun, I ask, at Estrella Morente’s dark, often remote evening, opening the fortnight last night? (And why, still, after years of urgent requests, no subtitles for these pungently melodramatic lyrics?)

Every February the Sadler’s Wells flamenco festival summons the illusion of Spanish sun onto our chilled, grateful backs - this year singers are getting almost as much prominence as dancers. But what sun, I ask, at Estrella Morente’s dark, often remote evening, opening the fortnight last night? (And why, still, after years of urgent requests, no subtitles for these pungently melodramatic lyrics?)

Flamenco should be this bewitching last bastion of live engagement with the earth, fire and the vast night sky

Share this article

Comments

maybe it was YOU AND NOT THEM ,that after 3 songs, the ONE WHO did at last forget aboutTHEM being Names in the music world, and FINALLY AFTER YOU SURRENDERING TO THE MUSIC they became individuals simply expressing an unfeigned hope AS that they were doing the heartstopping song justice.....she was incredible in the show, amazingly moving from stop to end, no need for subtitles whatsoever, as your heart GOT filled from the very beginning.....of course if you dont have expectations and your monkey mind is on your way!!!

I can only guess you did'nt stay until the end, she was on stage with her younger brother and members of her late fathers group who played on front of the palace in Madrid last summer. At the finale, touched by the adoration of the crowd and the memory of her father she sang a capella (without a microphone) at the front of the stage and reduced her own group and all the audience to tears.

I could not disagree more with Ismene's original post; yes Estrella used a microphone but her voice resonated without it as did her passion. You clearly have a dislike for the use of technology which I think clouded your judgement. I thought the structure of the concert was excellent with the two styles of dress matching the tone of the songs. The ole's are surely prompted by spontaneous emotion and encouragement. I am not an aficienado of flamenco although I have seen Estrella 4 times. The final two songs, sung without the microphone, were clearly laments to her father. If that did not move you as a real cry of pain at her loss then you must have a heart of stone. Surely this demonstrated the real essence of flamenco.

It's quite obvious you don't know about flamenco so I'm confused as to why you're writing reviews of flamenco shows? You have a nice poetic style but I'll go elsewhere to read something by someone who understands the music I think.

didn't have the luck of seing estrella last night in her first show after Enrique's dead. The great Enrique. what a big loss. will be waiting till she comes back to spain to hear her voice full of blood, spirit, angel and strength. that voice that always brings you to the warm of your homeland, and reminds you the fire of your origins. barcelona, spain

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters