On Saturday the 10th May, Espíritu Flamenco’s 3 de Corazones -or 3 of Hearts in English- lit up the night. The performances took place in Shaw Street’s Capstone Theatre, where bright blue lights illuminated the hall like a night sky as the audience awaited the show with excitement.
The show was directed, choreographed and headlined by Andrés Peña, a highly respected Flamenco dancer from Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia. The performances merged Peña’s footwork mastery with lamentations from David Carpio, a celebrated singer from Jerez, and artful intensity from Jesús Guerrero, a prominent guitarist from Cádiz.
Staying true to its name, the show showed that all good things do come in 3s- both performing together and in their solo acts, Peña, Carpio and Guerrero displayed incredible art, with the audience audibly gasping in delight. In it’s advert, the show promised 3 things: to be engaging, vibrant and impossible to ignore.
I can attest that the show truly delivered, with performances merging joyful, soulful and cheeky performances that took me back to my own childhood experiences with Flamenco in Spain. The energy in the air was infectious, with the audience taking part in calling out “¡Ole!”, “Quillo” and other phrases. At one point, members of the audience thanked the performers for having so much ‘arte’ (to those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the passion and expression shown in Flamenco performances).
Audience members who had attended Espíritu Flamenco’s show the night before (on Friday the 9th May) expressed their amazement of how different, sincere and refreshing both performances were, a testament to the improvisation and skill of performers.
The chemistry between artists was palpable, with the artistry simply shining through in every performance. With every guitar strum, every dance and every note sung, an unforgettable performance was forged, delivering a Flamenco showcase filled with talent and raw passion. Outfits were also carefully chosen, with pieces evoking emotion and visions of classic Andalucia, with its rich traditions.
Pieces performed included alegrías (a joyful form of flamenco), a heart-wrenching guitar solo, a soleá (an expressive, intimate performance) , a solo picado (where the guitar strings are alternately plucked, creating a distinctive melodic sound) , a farruca (a dramatic dance traditionally danced by men, characterised by intense footwork, quick spins, and dramatic poses), and a martinete (a vocal performance performed acapella).
The diversity of acts, and the mastery displayed throughout, created an electric energy that warmed the heart and made you move subconsciously- I couldn’t help but feel every piece, being completely engrossed in the acts. The farruca was especially amazing, with the rapid footwork mesmerising the audience.
Accompanied with vocals and the guitar, each piece- both in tandem and solo- transformed the hall, with moods shifting along with the songs and hearts pounding along with the music. The show ended on a high note, with Peña, Carpio and Guerrero dancing their way out of the hall, dancing and playing the guitar joyfully. Their cheekiness and chemistry radiated through the hall, with myself and others finding a smile plastered to our faces.
For the final touch, we got one last surprise- a dance from Espíritu Flamenco’s founder herself- Sarah Chambers! As Peña, Carpio, Chambers and Guerrero spontaneously danced, sang and played the guitar, the audience cheered with joy. The final applause was thunderous- Espíritu Flamenco’s 3 de Corazones truly delivered the unforgettable, fiery and passionate spirit of flamenco.
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