This course studies flamenco as music, dance, and spectacle. Students examine the history of flamenco in the context of Mediterranean culture, and the culture and ethnicity of Andalusia. The influences of flamenco in literature, theater, and classic and popular music is also studied. Students learn the basic steps of flamenco and attend flamenco performances in Granada.
Method of presentation:
Students study the history of flamenco and its evolution throughout the history of Spain. Students learn the basic steps. Field study with visits to local flamenco performances.
Required work and form of assessment:
Active participation (and knowledge of basic flamenco steps) 30%, personal journal about learning flamenco 20%, three critical reactions to flamenco performances 15%, two written papers about theory discussed in class 10%, final written paper 10%, final dance performance 15%.
content:
History of flamenco: its origins
Origins of flamenco. Influences on other music. Andalusia as the birthplace of flamenco and theAndalusian folklore from which it developed
First written documentation and first public performances. Bailes del Candil and the first academies and dance halls as the ancestors of los Cafés Cantantes.
Rehearsal of flamenco - introduction to the meter and singing.
Different forms of clapping and singing the meter. Basic positions to begin a dance.
Coordination of feet and rhythm.
History of flamenco – professionalism. Los Cafés Cantantes.
Birth of the flamenco painting
Codes for communication between the guitar, the singer and the dancer
Rehearsal of flamenco – explanation of the basic choreographic structure, different palos or cries, important terminology for different flamenco elements (calling to the singer - letras, escobillas, falseta, cierre).
Videos to explain different flamenco elements
Attendance at a flamenco performance, tablao, about which students write a reaction/criticism, recognizing the different elements learned in class
Study of arm/leg coordination, space, basic choreography.
History of Flamenco – its arrival in theaters
Concept of bailarín –bailaor
Introduction of more elaborate flamenco steps
Influences of flamenco in classic Spanish dance (and vice versa)
Videos to study the differences between espectáculo de tablao de la puesta and flamenco theater (concept of scene, choreograph, use of lighting, plot line, different group numbers, etc.)
Rehearsal of flamenco – continuation of choreography, fandangos de Huelva meter, zapateado technique
Rehearsal of flamenco – differences in the dance between a man and woman
Videos to see the evolution of both styles through the years
Rehearsal of flamenco – flamenco technique in terms of rhythm (tangos y fandangos). Continuation of choreography, simple foot variations.
Attendance at a tablao, students write a critical analysis and refer to elements already learned.
History of flamenco – modern day flamenco
The music and its fusion with jazz
The dance and use of elements in contemporary dance
The music of Chano Domínguez, Jorge Pardo, Paco de Lucía
Videos of dancers such as Belén Maya, Fernando Romero, Joaquín Cortés, Andrés Marín or Eva la Yerbabuena
Rehearsal of flamenco – meter in 12 time
How to recognize the meter and use clapping
First pasos por alegrías
Rehearsal of flamenco – classification of palos flamencos
Detailed study: character, meter, and other elements
Recognition of palos, how to use clapping.
Rehearsal of flamenco – flamenco technique utilized in tangos, fandangos, and alegrías.
Continuation of the choreography.
Rehearsal of flamenco – Connection of flamenco with theater, other music, and poetry.
Selections from Romancero Gitano by García Lorca
The movie Bodas de Sangre directed by Carlos Saura and Antonio Gades
The music Amor Brujo by Falla, with orchestrated flamenco rhythms
Rehearsal of flamenco – Recognition of the distinct elements present in the flamenco performance.
Theater and tablao visits
Students write a criticism, referring to scene concepts, musical language utilized, and appreciation of the instruments.
Rehearsal of flamenco – Finalization of choreography, tangos
Required readings:
Álvarez Caballero, Ángel. El baile flamenco. Madrid: Alianza Editorial, 1998.
Blas Vega, José and Ríos Ruiz, Manuel. Diccionario Enciclopédico ilustrado del flamenco. Madrid: Cinterco, 1988.
Gamboa, José Manuel. Una Historia del flamenco. Madrid: Espasa Calpe, 2005.
Recommended readings:
Álvarez Caballero, Ángel. El cante flamenco. Madrid: Alianza Editorial, 2004.
--------. El toque flamenco. Madrid: Alianza Editorial, 2003.
Caro Baroja, Julio. De Etnología Andaluza. Málaga: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Diputación, 1993.
Carrillo Alonso, Antonio. La poesía tradicional en el cante andaluz. De las jarchas al cantar. Sevilla: Editoras Andaluzas Unidas, 1988.
Martín Moreno, Antonio. Historia de la Música Andaluza. Granada: Editoras Andaluzas Unidas, 1985.
Ríos Ruiz, Manuel. El gran libro del flamenco: Historia, estilos, intérpretes. Madrid: Editorial Calambur, 2002.
Scarnecchia, Paolo. Música popular y música culta. Barcelona: Icaria, 1998.
Brief Biography of Instructor:
María del Puerto studied Flamenco and Classical Spanish ballet in Granada and at the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático y Danza in Madrid. She has been a dancer and a choreographer for several companies in Europe, the United States, and Australia, including opera performances, and a role in the world-acclaimed film Flamenco, by Carlos Saura. She has taught Flamenco in Spain, the Netherlands and Japan. In 2004, she opened her own dance school in Granada. More information is available at www.mariadelpuerto.com.
Flamenco: History And Performance
This course studies flamenco as music, dance, and spectacle. Students examine the history of flamenco in the context of Mediterranean culture, and the culture and ethnicity of Andalusia. The influences of flamenco in literature, theater, and classic and popular music is also studied. Students learn the basic steps of flamenco and attend flamenco performances in Granada.
Students study the history of flamenco and its evolution throughout the history of Spain. Students learn the basic steps. Field study with visits to local flamenco performances.
Active participation (and knowledge of basic flamenco steps) 30%, personal journal about learning flamenco 20%, three critical reactions to flamenco performances 15%, two written papers about theory discussed in class 10%, final written paper 10%, final dance performance 15%.
María del Puerto studied Flamenco and Classical Spanish ballet in Granada and at the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático y Danza in Madrid. She has been a dancer and a choreographer for several companies in Europe, the United States, and Australia, including opera performances, and a role in the world-acclaimed film Flamenco, by Carlos Saura. She has taught Flamenco in Spain, the Netherlands and Japan. In 2004, she opened her own dance school in Granada. More information is available at www.mariadelpuerto.com.