From de Falla to Flamenco

Soprano Ulla Paakkunainen, guitarist Jukka Päkki, flamenco dancer Erika Alajärvi and cellist Mika Seppänen join forces at the cultural centre Kanneltalo to create a real Spanish cocktail in From de Falla to Flamenco. They fashion an interesting set around the Spanish classical music compositions of Manuel de Falla, who was known for incorporating traditional Spanish folk music and even flamenco into his musical creations. The evening consists of de Falla's and some other great Spaniards' classical songs and the flamenco dance of Erika Alajärvi.

Alajärvi – a flamenco dancer and teacher of considerable merit – dances to de Falla's Siete canciones populares españolas, but also presents her new solo ¡Goodbye Carmen!. The work came to fruition partly in Madrid, just like much of de Falla's work, and looks at different sides of the woman who was famously involved in a dramatic love triangle with her two admirers, Escamillo and Don Jose. For Alajärvi, Carmen has, however, been portrayed very differently at different times. Carmen is not only a heartbreaker but also a brave woman who makes her way in a world dominated by men. Accordingly, Alajärvi's Carmen dances Farruca, a dance traditionally performed by men.

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