Flamenco Cantata - Los Tarantos

Laberinto
Flamenco Festival
presents
Flamenco
Cantata
The power of Flamenco meets
the beauty of the classical voice
Artistic Direction: Antonio Vargas
Chijmes Hall
23rd/24th October 2010
Programme

Spo
nS
orS
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Festival and Venue Partner:
Main Sponsor for Flamenco Cantata
Main Sponsor for Salvador Loreto and VIP Reception
Sponsor for Artwork Logistics
Studio Sponsor
LosTarantos
Supporters
Contribution
DIr
ECTo
r’S
MES
SaGE
3
After 50 years of Flamenco Dance
Theatre and having travelled
around the world presenting
Flamenco to worldwide audiences,
it is my pleasure to present
Flamenco Cantata in the Inaugural Laberinto
Flamenco Festival in Chijmes this year.
I have presented the Misa Flamenca in the
Llangollen Festival in Wales in 1971, then the
London Festival Hall in 1972, and later in 1995
I was asked to revive this work to perform in
major cathedrals in Germany and Europe, with
the sold out tours in major cathedrals of Bavaria,
including Marienmümster in Dießen.
This year in 2010, upon being approached
by Chijmes to present Flamenco and upon
seeing the beautifully restored Chijmes Hall,
I decided to revive this extraordinary work
which combines the power of pure Flamenco
with the beauty of the classical voice, and
renamed it Flamenco Cantata.
I would like to thank the generous sponsorship
of Encore for sponsoring 3 exceptional
Flamenco artistes from Spain, Carmen La
Talegona, Talegon de Córdoba and Jorge Padilla;
and Serenity Spanish Bar and Restaurant for
sponsoring the fine art painting of Salvador
Loreto whose paintings will adorn the arches of
Chijmes Hall and who will also sing under name
El Titi de Algeciras. I am honored to collaborate
for the first time with conductor and friend Dr
Robert Casteels as well as the Singapore Youth
Choir Ensemble Singers. I would also like to
thank the wonderful partnership with Chijmes
and the support of the Spanish Embassy and
Spanish Tourism Board.
The present festival aims to promote a meeting
and exchange of cultures and nurture artistic
collaborations of other art forms with Flamenco
and Spanish culture.
Welcome to Laberinto Flamenco Festival 2010!
Antonio Vargas

pro
GraM
ME
1
2
4 3
5
CaS
T/CrE
DIT
4 5
KYRIE
La Caña
gloria
Cantes de Malaga
credo
Cantes Jondo
santus
Cantes del Campo
agnus dei
Cantes de Cádiz
finale
Introduction: Flamenco Sin Fronteras
Caña: Antonio Vargas
Soleá: Carmen La Talegona
Singers: Talegon de Córdoba
and El Titi de Algeciras
Tonás: Antonio Vargas
Segiriyas: Flamenco Sin Fronteras
Segiriyas: Antonio Vargas
Soleá por Buleria: Toshi
Mirabrás: Flamenco Sin Fronteras
alegrías: Carmen La Talegona
Bulerias: All
artistic Direction:
Flamenco Dancers
Flamenco Singers:
Flamenco Guitarist:
Flamenco Sin Fronteras:
Conductor:
Choir:
percussionist:
Sound and Lighting:
Illustrator:
Graphic Designer:
Videographer:
Stage Manager:
Antonio Vargas
Carmen La Talegona
Antonio Vargas
Talegon de Córdoba
El Titi de Algeciras
Jorge Padilla
Chen Kunyi
Daphne Huang
Tilly Ng
Toshiaki Konno
Dr Robert Casteels
Singapore Youth Choir Ensemble Singers
Michael Tan
Production Chijmes
Chen Kunyi
Melanie Tu
Ronald Wigman/Chijmes
Melanie Tu

anT
onI
oVar
GaS
6+7
Antonio Vargas is recognised as one
of the world’s leading Flamenco
dancers and choreographers. He
won accolades for his performance
as the gypsy father, Rico in
the Australian box-office hit movie Strictly
Ballroom, directed by Baz Luhrmann. He also
choreographed and staged a Flamenco segment
for Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible II directed
by John Woo and played a cameo in this film.
Another important facet of his career is the work
he has done in collaboration with orchestras and
opera productions, such as Harvey Goldsmith’s
Carmen (Sydney, Melbourne, Zurich and
Munch), Bolero, Zapateado, and Three Spanish
Dances with the Munich Philharmoniker, Blood
Wedding for the London Operatic Society and
La Vida Breve, a Basil Lochart production for the
BBC, and has produced for the Sydney Festival.
Antonio Vargas trained initially in Flamenco
with Spain’s foremost teacher, Antonio Marin.
He went on to perform as a leading dancer in
the Pilar Lopez Spanish Dance Company. After
two years he was invited to dance in the Rafael
de Cordova Dance Company as a lead dancer.
Later he formed his own company, The Antonio
Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre. Throughout
his illustrious career he has always found the
inspiration to present pieces, which, although
they never deviate from the roots and authenticity
of Flamenco, are exceptionally contemporary.
Antonio Vargas has called Singapore home
in the last five years, and has directed local
company Flamenco Sin Fronteras in their debut
experimental dance theatre production Cinco
Sueños in 2009. He is currently adjunct faculty
teacher for Flamenco at the prestigious School
of the Arts (Singapore) and teaches in his own
studio Los Tarantos.
Although his company is based in Spain, and it
is part of his mission to tour his dance theatre
productions, he is always open to work with and
encourage resident artists, not only Flamenco
artists, but also contemporary dancers, jazz
musicians, percussionists, painters. To have
him present, even if only in a rehearsal is an
unforgettable experience, a true inspiration.
Some of the events in which he was involved as artistic director were:
La Vida Breve
Opera, Basil Coleman Production for the BBC
– Dance Director
Llangollen Festival
Wales
– Coordinator, Dance Director
The Flamenco High Mass
Royal Festival Hall, London
– Dance Director, Musical Director
Blood Wedding
The London Operatic Society
– Dance Director, Musical Director
Medieval Festival of ITa
Guadalajara, Spain
– Co-ordinator, Artistic Director
Festivales de España
Cuervas de Nerjas, Málaga, Spain
– Flamenco Program Director
aFI Fashion parade
Najee Men’s Fashion
– Choreographer and Meteur en scène
Fiesta, Spanish Festival
Schloss Kaltenberg, Prince Luitpold of Bavaria
– Designer of complete event, Coordinator,
Choreographer and Artistic Director of
Flamenco segment
Carmen, opera
Harvey Goldsmith Production, Melbourne,
Sydney, Zurich, Munich
– Artistic Director and Choreographer of
Spanish segment
Strictly Ballroom, Film
– Choreographic assistance and background on
dance from Spain; Role of Rico
Mission Impossible II, Film
– Material assistance to John Woo,
choreography of dance segment

Drro
BEr
TCaS
TEELS
Dr Robert Casteels has conducted
more than 50 professional
orchestras in 20 countries in a
repertoire of 600 works ranging
from the early classics to contemporary music,
from symphonic to vocal and dance repertoire. He
has conducted first performances of symphonic
works, ballets and operas in festivals such as
Spoleto Festival (Charleston, US/ Spoleto, Italy/
Melbourne, Australia), Ars Musica (Brussels),
Brisbane Biennale (Australia), Focus (New
York), Wien Modern (Vienna), Donaueschingen
and Berlin Biennale (Germany).
Casteels studied composition with Fernand
Quinet in Brussels and Peter Maxwell Davies
in Dartington, England. He graduated from the
CarM
EnLa
TaLEG
ona
8 9
French and Flemish Royal Conservatories in
Brussels in piano and orchestral conducting, as
well as from the Eötvös Institute in Hungary, the
Guildhall School of Music in London and the
Juilliard School in New York. His conducting
mentors included Leonard Bernstein, John
Carewe, Peter Eötvös, Sixten Ehrling, Pierre
Fournet, Zubin Mehta, Jorge Mester, Michel
Tabachnik, Vilem Tausky and Ronald Zollman.
Following his graduation from Juilliard, he
was appointed staff conductor at the Brussels
Royal Opera House and Head of Conducting
Studies at the Brussels (Flemish) Royal Music
Conservatory. Whilst continuing his conducting
engagements on the international stage, Casteels
shifted the focus of his activities from Europe
to Australasia, choosing Singapore as his home
base in 1995,and taking up permanent residency
in 1996. Since then, he has contributed tirelessly
to Singapore’s music scene – Casteels has served
as Dean of the Faculty of Performing Arts at the
LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts (LASALLE),
as a member of various competition jurypanels
and government-appointed arts and education
committees, as Music Director of the Singapore
National Youth Orchestra (SNYO), as
Artistic Director & Resident Conductor of the
Philharmonic Winds, and as Music Director
& Conductor of the National University of
Singapore (NUS) Choir, NUS Wind Symphony
and the NUS Guitar Ensemble (GENUS).
Maria del Carmen Rivas Aranda,
gypsy dancer, is known in the
world of Flamenco dance as the
artiste La Talegona. She was born
in Córdoba in 1976, the niece of the famous singer
of saetas Talegón de Córdoba. Her first activities
and performances were directed by Javier de
la Torre in the production Suite Española. At
he age of 11 she studied flamenco dance in the
conservatory in the centre of performing arts
in Córdoba. In 1992, she received the first prize
in the National flamenco dance competition,
La Carlota. From the age of 14, she started
travelling throughout Spain sharing the stage
with star figures of the flamenco world, like José
Mercé, La Macanita, Chano Lobato, El Pele and
Enrique Morente.
She participated in the book Retrataturas de
Mercedes Martín Luengo y Javier Cano, and
worked in Spain’s famous tablaos. She was
featured as a soloist in Pura Pasión with Cristobal
Reyes, Maya’s La Pasión de Cristo, Remembranzas
with La Truco, Destreza and Tiempo Muerto
and recently in Princesas del Flamenco with
Rafael Amargo. Recently, she has launched
the company A4 Flamencos and is presently
preparing a production with Inmaculada Ortega
called Maneras de Sentir, which will open in
Albuquerque (Nuevo México). She is currently
one of the faculty teachers in the Casa Patas
Flamenco Conservatory Foundation.

TaLEG
onDE
Cor
DoBa
10+11
Manuel Aranda Zamorano known
as the famous singer Talegón de
Córdoba, was born in Córdoba,
in the neighbourhood of
Costanilla (Santa Marina) in 1944. One of 14
brothers, Talegón began singing in the taverns of
Córdoba at the age of eight, joining the lineup at
the flamenco tavern Los Califas at 10, along with
Blanca del Rey, Cristobillas and Faiquillo. He
came to Madrid at the age of 12 with La Paquera
de Jerez, working in the Villarrosa and Ventas
along the road to Barcelona.
At the age of 18 Gitanillo de Triana and Pastora
Imperio called on him to work at the Tablao El
Duende and was called to work by famous dancers
such as Antonio, Antonio Gades and Manuela
Vargas. He joined the Canasteros, passing through
every major tablao in Madrid and inaugurated the
Arcos de Cuchilleros. At the age of 28 he worked
with La Singla, La Chana, La Tolea. During the
years 1972-1973 he inaugurated Lola Flores’ venue
El Carien, along with Felipe Campuzano and Las
Grecas at the start of their career.
He returned to Canasteros after a few years
and inaugurated the El Café de Chinitas and
the Venta del Gato. He joined the lineup of the
Cumbre Flamenca for eight years, alongside
Manolete, Antonio Canales, Manuela Carrasco,
and continued working for many years at the
best Madrid tablaos. He has produced several
CDs and DVDs, including Un algo de Mi with
Antonio Vargas. Currently he teaches cante at
the Amor de Dios Academy and the Casa Patas
Flamenco Conservatory Foundation, alternating
with solo appearances in Córdoba, Parla and
Madrid as well as the rest of Spain.
jorG
EpaD
ILLa
Jorge Padilla was born in Barcelona,
Spain. He started his career at the age
of 16 with flamenco dancers like La
China, Paloma MarÌn, and others. He
performed in the National Theatre of Taipei,
the Berkley theatre in Los Angeles (EEUU), the
theatre of Manuel de Falla in Granada, Teatro
de las Cortes in San Fernando in Cádiz (Spain),
SalÛn de Congresos in Vilnus Lithuania, Plaza
de Toros in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Teatro
Central (Sevilla, Spain) and Teatro Teresa
Carreño. He has travelled and performed in
numerous countries worldwide.
In his career, he has accompanied important
stars such as virtuoso guitarist, Víctor Monje
Serranito , singers like Pedro Genil, José Meneses,
Talegon de Córdoba, Elena Andujar; dancers like
Domingo Ortega, Rafael Campallo, Joaquín
Cortes, Carmen La Talegona, Belén Fernandez,
Hiniesta Cortes, Angela Españadero,Alfonso
Losa, Isabel Lopez, Andrés Peña, Angel Muñoz,
el Junco, Raul Ortega, Monica Fernandez and
Shoji Kojima and an important singer Franco
de Vita. He has composed music for various
companies, such as Ahora Me Voy Con Mi Mare
and Ofeo for Domingo Ortega, Lorca for Shoji
Koijma, and Quijote The Dreamer for José Moro.
EL T
ITI
Salvador Ramon Flores Loreto known
as El Titi de Algeciras was born
in Algeciras (Spain) into a gypsy
family whose tradition is flamenco.
Singing at a very early age under the name of
Montoyita and later with his cousins in a group
called Los Montoyas, the young singer learned his
art at the side of famous singers such as Antonio
Mairena. Related to the famous gypsy families
of Los Montoyas, Los Chiquitetes, the Utrera
Sisters, the late Cameron de la Isla and growing
up with Paco de Lucia as a neighbour, the young
Montoyita was offered work in the tablaos such
as La Corral del la Morreria in Madrid working
with such artists as dancer la Tati, Antonio el
Pelau, and guitarist el Habichuela and winning
awards for his singing.
He arrived in Australia in 1966 with the flamenco
dance company el Sali and stayed working with
the gypsy dancer La Tani. Since then he has been
the only authentic flamenco gypsy singer in
Australia and in high demand by flamenco artists
of the calibre of Antonio Vargas, Diana Reyes
and Gabriel Heredia in Sydney and Melbourne.
With performances too numerous to list over his
many years of performing. This talented artist is
also known as painter Salvador Loreto.

SYC
EnSEM
BLE
12
The SYC Ensemble Singers began
life in 1964 as the Singapore Youth
Choir (SYC), a national choir
for young singers transcending
school colours and loyalties. To
celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2004, the choir
was renamed the SYC Ensemble Singers.
The SYC Ensemble Singers today is an auditioned
adult contemporary music chamber ensemble
whose vision is to redefine the relevance of
ensemble singing, and whose aim is to enlarge the
musical space for the musicians of tomorrow.
Our passion and focus is contemporary
repertoire. We promote and perform the work of
living composers, and premiere either entirely
new works, or works new to our audience, in
every concert. We actively commission music.
Since our first commission in 1988 (Nostalgia by
pioneer Singapore composer Leong Yoon Pin),
we have commissioned over thirty works. We
are also honoured to have received several works
as gifts and dedications from the composer
community, validating us as a choir of choice for
the interpretation of contemporary music. The
SYC Ensemble Singers is led by Jennifer Tham.
FLaME
nCoSI
nFron
TEraS
13
Flamenco Sin Fronteras or Flamenco
Without Borders consists of a diverse
group of Flamenco dancers and
musicians based in Singapore,
sharing a common passion for Flamenco and
experimental theatre. Under the guidance
of Maestro Antonio Vargas, Flamenco Sin
Fronteras promotes Flamenco by returning to its
roots with its eclectic mix of Indian, Arabic and
Jewish origins while pushing artistic borders and
exploring new frontiers. The results are diverse
collaborations of dance theatre adaptions with
famous poets and playwrights, fusion with
other musical and dance genres, and exploring
contemporary and cutting edge presentations
with new theatre techniques and visual arts.
The company has performed in numerous
public and private events in Singapore. Past
highlights include Dover Park Hospice Charity
Gala in presence of President Nathan and
Friends of Encore gala dinner. In 2009 Flamenco
Sin Fronteras produced Camino Flamenco,
incorporating Indian and Arabic influences in
Flamenco, as well as its first original experimental
dance theatre production Cinco Sueños.
Joining Flamenco Sin Fronteras is Michael
Tan, a freelance percussionist with Singapore
Symphony Orchestra and Principal Timpanist of
Singapore Festival Orchestra.

LosTarantos
The space for all Flamenco
lovers in Singapore to
experience the beauty
and power of a unique and
esoteric art form
Los Tarantos Singapore Flamenco Club was born as a result
of a labour of love, to be a haven for all Flamenco lovers in
Singapore. Housed in a beautiful Peranakan shophouse just
off city centre, east of Singapore, we are equipped with fulllength
mirrors and quality timber sprung floor for dance
classes and studio performances. We offer Flamenco classes
and workshops with professional Flamenco artistes in
dance, guitar, singing and percussion for all levels.
Los Tarantos is the place to study Flamenco basics
by returning to its roots and pure art form, meanwhile
pursuing novel and cutting edge ideas of presentation and
collaborations with other art forms. For those who love to
watch, it is the space to experience Flamenco in an intimate
and personal setting – whether by professional Flamenco
artistes or novice students just beginning their journey. In
addition, we also offer a variety of dance and fitness classes
such as Belly dance, Argentine Tango, Salsa and Pilates.
We house a flamenco shop that sells flamenco goods and
accessories, as well as a cosy private lounge area, Café de Los
Artistes where fellow flamenco lovers can sit and relax over a
coffee or drink while watching dance videos or simply catch
up with friends. On weekends, our place can be transformed
into a flexible performance space for various music and
dance performances or host private theme parties.

Salvador Loreto Fine Art Exhibition
Chijmes Hall
23rd October: 6.30–10 pm
24th October: 4.30–9.30 pm
From 26th October: Serenity Spanish Bar and Restaurant
In THe STudIo
Matador turned painter
Salvador Flores Loreto was born in algeciras,
Spain on 28 June 1942, to a gitano (gypsy)
family whose tradition is flamenco and
bullfighting. after his bullfighting career
came to and end, he turned to singing and
painting. at a very early age, he had started
drawing and painting which eventually
became his greatest love and passion.
Loreto studied at various Spanish art
schools, and was afterwards commissioned
to undertake several major public works.
He later began to exhibit as a solo artist.
arriving in australia in 1966 presented him
a new landscape and people, and a freedom
of expression which he gladly embraced.
However, the Spanish gypsy cultural roots
in particular, remained a reference point for
his paintings, which have been exhibited in
europe, Japan and australia.
a new ForM oF SurrealiSM
Inspired by the human spirit, Loreto does
not conform to fads and sees himself as an
honest artist who is not to be categorised.
His works demonstrate his extraordinary
talent for expressing himself in a different
styles, always with that touch of surrealism
which good Spanish artists are unable
to resist. The pathos, tragedy and direct
physical expressive force appear as elements
throughout his work. also evident are the
contrasts of light and shade, the reference
to surrealist images and the flamenco depth.
the three dimensional aspect of his paintings
has been likened to sculptures.
Homage To goya
For enquiries, please call
+65 6376 8185 or email to
sales@serenity.com.sg

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What is it you need for your event?
You name it. We have it. Lion and
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Joanna
Mobile: +65 9093 6001
email: joan@joanwalker.com.sg
www.joanwalker.com.sg

Laberinto
Flamenco Festival
fringe
Fine Art Exhibition
“Duende de un Gitano” by Salvador Loreto
Performance Highlights
Marco Van Doornum: Flamenco and Jazz Guitarist from Australia
Camino Flamenco: Featuring Tabla Master Nawaz Mirajkar
Flambuco: Percussion Ensemble Intepreting Fiery Flamenco Rhythms
Los Caballeros and Ireson: Afro-Cuban Latino Band
Duende Andaluz: Traditional Andalusian Folk Singers
Los Tarantos Flamenco Company, Singapore Flamenco Circle
Alhambra Estudio de Flamenco, Le Grand School of Dance
NUS Rondalla Ensemble, NUS Guitar Ensemble (GENUS)
Joan Walker: Carnival Stiltwalkers and Artisans
Laberinto Festival Marketplace
Arts and Crafts, Spanish Guitars and Percussion Instruments
Spanish Wines and Gastronomy, Interactive Forums
Chijmes
30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
23rd October 2010: 5.30pm – 12.30am
24th October 2010: 3.00pm – 10.00pm
Admission is FREE!
Log on to www.lostarantos.com.sg
or www.chijmes.com.sg for details