This Feeling

My way of understanding Flamenco

Manuela Reyes, bailando por tarantos en el espectáculo Ambivalencia, Teatro Central de Sevilla

One can dance with more or less technique but never without feeling, without giving yourself over totally to the rhythm and improvisation.

Flamenco is something that must be felt, and enjoyed.

Feeling manifests itself just as much from within as from without. It enables strong and direct communication between the dancer and the spectator, making it possible for this art form to be transmitted. This is a sort of message with its own language that intensely uses the most profound emotions, transmitting a little shiver or pellizco from the dancer to the person watching.



What I feel about each "palo"

Every rhythm (palo) has its own special feeling or sentiment and its own different interpretation. This is why for me,
the "solea" is lamentation,
the "alegria" is balance,
the "taranto" is earth,
the "siguiriya" is strength,
and the "bulería of Jerez" is the "soniquetazo", a rhythmic wonder.





© Manuela Reyes, 24 May, 2008, Sevilla, España          Clases de Flamenco en Sevilla          (Flamenco Dance Lessons in Seville, Spain, and Tokio, Japan)