As part of their preparation for performing in Don Quixote the Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers took flamenco dance lessons with expert Jill Tanner-Lloyd of the Desde Sevilla Flamenco Dance Company.
THE HISTORY OF FLAMENCO DANCE
Flamenco comes from the southern region of Spain called Andalusia. It blends influences the earliest of which come from Hindu, ancient Greek and Roman art forms. When the gypsies arrived in Spain during the 15th century large numbers of them settled in Andalusia and added their cultural influence to the singing and dancing.
While its origins were ancient it was not until the early 18th century that flamenco came into its own. Over the next two centuries it flourished, and most of the famed singers and dancers were gypsies.
Elements of the dance include sharp angles of the body and arms, splayed fingers, rapid turns, sudden strong postures and most importantly percussive foot movements. Flamenco has been described as strong, defiant and explosive.
The most important element of flamenco music is the singing, ‘Cante’.
Originally flamenco consisted purely of ‘Cante’, with hand clapping ‘Palmas’ or knuckle rapping percussive accompaniment. The guitar was gradually incorporated during the nineteenth century.
In Don Quixote the dancers perform a form of flamenco dance called the Fandango. It is a dance of courtship from Andalusia, Southern Spain and had its origins in the early 18th century. It is a dance that is an expression of passion as the dancers tease, challenge and chase each other with steps and gestures.
Choreographer Adrian Burnett works with Flamenco teacher Jill Tanner Lloyd and the dancers to integrate flamenco movements into the Fandango he has created for Don Quixote.
Film
Focus Questions
- 1. What are the characteristics of flamenco dance movements? e.g. stance, arms & hands, torso, leg and foot actions, head position
- 2. What type of energy or dynamic quality is required in flamenco dancing?
- 3. How has the choreographer used flamenco movements in creating the fandango?
Activity
In pairs or small groups create your own flamenco dance. Make sure you wear shoes so you can make interesting rhythmic sound patterns with your feet. Use clapping and body percussion (e.g. slapping thighs, arms etc) in your dance. Think about using a fan, a guitar or ukulele as a prop in your dance.
For more information on flamenco dancing see: Discovering Dance (DVD 2: Track 22) Learning Media (2006)
