Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company – ¡Lorca! In Search of Duende

reviewed by Paula Citron
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¡Lorca! In Search of Duende
Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Choreographed by Enrique and Juan Ogalla
Performed by Enrique, Ogalla, Paloma Cortès, Angela Del Sol and Ilse Gudiño
At the Fleck Dance Theatre until Nov. 15
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Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company puts on classy shows.

¡Lorca! In Search of Duende, is an homage to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. The hard-to-define word “duende” means a darkness or sadness, an authenticity of expression that comes from the soul of a people such as gypsy flamenco music or, as Lorca says “the dark root of the scream”. In the show, every dance and instrumental piece is associated with a quote from Lorca.

Spanish guest dancer Juan Ogalla is all brooding intensity, and he shares choreographic responsibilities with Enrique. The five dancers in all are extremely accomplished, and the result is a show where passions reign supreme.

The live music that accompanies the works gives an immediacy to the concert. Spanish guest singer and guitarist José Anillo and José Valle “Chuscales” respectively, join company guitarist Nicolás Hernández and percussionist Yordanis O’Reilly in a really tight flamenco ensemble.

¡Lorca! In Search of Duende continues at the Fleck Dance Theatre until Nov. 15.