Monday, December 3, 2007

GALA Theater's Fuego Flamenco 3 got off to a spirited start on Friday with "Concierto: Aire de Abajo" showcasing the six artists of Barrios Flamenco & Compañía. The troupe was presented by Fundación Conservatorio Flamenco Casa Patas, a Madrid-based incubator of young talents and fresh ideas.

José Barrios, the company's choreographer, dancer and namesake, and guitarist Isaac Muñoz Casado figure among these creative forces. Under their shared direction, classic genres are interpreted with a new emphasis on their lyrical possibilities. Flautist Manuel Pérez Hernaiz provides the lilting melodies that strike the contemporary note. Percussionist José María Uriarte energizes the essential rhythmic layer. And singer El Trini de la Isla anchors the stylings in their Gypsy source, as does the dancing.

On Friday, the opening alegrías set a joyous tone, buoyed throughout the concert by the ensemble's exuberance. Barrios has a dazzling and irrepressible smile that he flashed constantly, even as he probed flamenco's darker, more introspective side in his solo. His style bordered on playful, but his moves were riveting, with footwork that, at one point, elicited an audible gasp from the crowd.

Sonia Fernández Olla provided sultry counterpoint to the five men's sunny congeniality -- especially as she glided through her sole¿, expertly flicking her train and tracing filigree with her supple hands. The program's standout was its farruca, traditionally a macho vehicle but updated here into a quarrel between Fernández Olla and Barrios. Exchanges of footwork flared and subsided, arms wove sinuous patterns, and the conflict intensified as the flute's haunting theme soared over the music's insistent pulse.

Barrios's encore was also appealing, a display of humor and virtuosity set to Mozart's "Turkish March." Fuego Flamenco 3 continues at GALA next Friday and Saturday.

-- Paula Durbin