The opening night concert of the Seventh Darwin International Guitar Festival, Fiesta Flamenca, took Darwin back to the origins of flamenco music, with a melting pot of cultures and artists.
It is generally accepted that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Andalusian, Islamic, Sephardic and Gypsy cultures present in Andalusia, Spain, prior to and after the Reconquest. In this tradition of melding cultures, Fiesta Flamenca brought together internationally acclaimed flamenco guitarist Oscar Guzman, who grew up in Seville, Andalusia and a troupe of Australia’s leading flamenco performers, including dancer Roshanne Wijeyeratne, vocalist Antonio Soria and percussionist Claudia Chambers.
Festival director, Adrian Walter said the concert was the perfect way to set the scene for this the Seventh Darwin International Guitar Festival concert series.
“The passion and driving rhythms of Flamenco will take people on an exciting Spanish journey,” he said. “It was a great reflection of the Festival’s international flavour.
“While many relate Flamenco music to the guitar it is just as much about the dance, vocals and percussion,” Mr Walter said, “we were really excited to have such a talented flamenco troupe, including Oscar Guzman presenting the opening concert at this year’s Festival, giving audiences a true flamenco experience.”