Antonio Gades (1936-2004) was a well-known flamenco dancer and choreographer. In 1983 he played the lead role in the film Carmen by Carlos Saura with whom he also created the choreographies. Gades was not only trained in flamenco dance but also in classical ballet. He created his own style that was long regarded as avant-garde but nowadays as classic: the arms outstretched, the upper back straight
… and often slightly bent back. As a choreographer, Gades made various 'ballets' in which he told a story through flamenco dance. Striking about these flamenco ballets are the use of flamenco musicians (also on stage), a sober decor, inventive lighting and stylish entrances and exits. In 2011, Gades' works were performed at Madrid's Teatro Real to celebrate the seventy-five anniversary of his birthday. In Fuenteovejuna (1994), Gades experimented with flamenco dance with the many other folk dances in Spain. The story comes from a seventeenth-century play by Lope de Vega based on historical facts. At the center are the inhabitants of the village of Fuenteovejuno who revolt against a regional administrator who tyrannically claims his right of the first night. When the government then asks who is responsible for the lynching, all residents take the blame. (CP) The story comes from a seventeenth-century play by Lope de Vega based on historical facts. At the center are the inhabitants of the village of Fuenteovejuno who revolt against a regional administrator who tyrannically claims his right of the first night. When the government then asks who is responsible for the lynching, all residents take the blame. (CP) The story comes from a seventeenth-century play by Lope de Vega based on historical facts. At the center are the inhabitants of the village of Fuenteovejuno who revolt against a regional administrator who tyrannically claims his right of the first night. When the government then asks who is responsible for the lynching, all residents take the blame. (CP)more
