The Beauty of Flamenco and the Majesty of A Symphony
Maria Osende and her company joined Symphony Nova Scotia for an unforgettable Spanish-inspired evening of live music and dance at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, at the Dalhousie Arts Centre in Halifax.
Conducted by Martin MacDonald, ‘Flamenco Fiesta’ was an intense night full of beauty and passion, featuring flamenco and classical Spanish dance and music.
Joining the ensemble onstage was renowned flamenco guitarist Miguel de la Bastide. Maria Osende premiere an “Alegrias”, orchestrated by guitarist, composer and arranger Daniel MacNeil, as well as the beautiful “Solea por Ellas” for three dancers, where she was joined by Colleen Power and Michelle Raiche-Marsden. Amongst the highlights was Osende’s solo to David Peña Dorantes’ Orobroy. This unique flamenco piano piece first released in 1998, has been hailed as a success by traditionalist and contemporary critics alike. Symphony Nova Scotia’s performance marks the first performance of Orobroy with a full symphony orchestra in Canada. Both the “Solea por Ellas” and Orobroy were orchestrated by Chris Palmer.
Amongst the exciting new works OSende choreographed for classical music are Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 2. and the very powerful Ritual Fire Dance from the ballet El Amor Brujo (Love, the Magician, 1915) by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. The works featured Maria Osende, along with dancers Indhira Castillo, Sarah Jean Jones and Elise Vanderbourgh.
The night was sold out and received to warm standing ovations.
CAST
CONDUCTOR:
Martin MacDonald
DANCERS:
Maria Osende – principal dancer, choreographer, artistic director
Colleen Power – flamenco
Michelle Raiche-Marsden – flamenco
Indhira Castillo – ballet/contemporary
Sarah-Jean Jones – ballet/contemporary
Elise Vanderbought – ballet/contemporary
MUSICIANS:
Miguel de la Bastide – guitar
Daniel MacNeil – guitar, percussion
Reeny Smith –vocals
Joyce Saunders – vocals
Ian MacMillan – percussion
PRODUCTION:
Arrangement for Orchestra – Daniel MacNeil, Chris Palmer
Costumes – Marcia Simmons
“We were amazed, thrilled, moved, overwhelmed by the beauty, passion, discipline, abandon, duende, and magic which you gave to the audience last night in your performance with Symphony Nova Scotia.
