I won't be the one to try to convince you that climate change is a fact, but believe me: in Stuttgart It's unusually hot. Apparently, temperatures have exceeded 36 degrees this summer, and considering the city is nestled in a valley through which flows the murmuring and poetic Neckar River, you can imagine how intense the heat is.
It was also hot this Sunday in the Theater House from the German village, where the gala was to take place Dancers, one of the highlights of the program Festival Flamenco from StuttgartIt is well known that outside our borders, dance is the most popular art form, the most sought after by audiences. And women's dance, in particular, adds to its artistic value the allure of hairstyles, costumes, and accessories, creating a romantic imagery highly appreciated worldwide.
Thus, the proposal led by Miguel Ángel Espino It promised nothing more than a journey through different landscapes flamencothat would allow a balanced showcase of the invited artists, suitably supported by the cante and the guitar. The start with commotion gave way to one of the most impressive poems of Miguel Hernández, Sitting on the dead, which popularized Enrique Morente, already the woman from Écija Sara Luque brandishing his cane energetically to dance the martinete and debla. On either side were two very experienced flamenco singers, with enough flight hours to buy an apartment with their accumulated Iberia points: Momi from Cádizan artist who has worked extensively throughout Europe, and the woman from Utrera Carmen Fernández.
"It is well known that outside of Spain, dance is the most popular discipline, the most sought after by the public. And specifically women's dance, which adds to its artistic value the appeal of hairstyles, costumes, and accessories, recreating a romantic imagery highly appreciated throughout the world."
Both voices joined together to commemorate the Legend of Time Lorca-esque in the version of Camarónbefore inviting the woman from Madrid Laura Funez She danced to the taranto. This flamenco dancer brought a classic touch to the show, demonstrating her skill with the castanets and her display of steps from the bolero school, and finishing her performance with spectacular pirouettes. Her petite figure, brimming with charm, significantly enlivened the performance.
No less meritorious was the role of the woman from Cordoba Araceli Muñoz In her guajira, she exuded coquetry and sensuality with her fan. She is a flamenco dancer who radiates a special light, one of those who touch the heart without needing to take a single step, just with a smile. For her part, and after the intermission, Luque, with her reed-like figure, for whom Rosemary of Torres would have given money and a debtor technique from the school of Matilde Coral, where she trained, she did the same with the flamenco dress in the soleá style. It's worth noting that the dancers were well supported at all times by two guitarists very well known to the Stuttgart public: the Brazilian Ferdinand de la Rua and the man from Cordoba Antonio Españadero, both linked to the María de Ávila Higher Conservatory of Dance in Madrid and regulars at the festival.
Under the title Corner flamenco The singers strung together a medley that included classic songs such as Vito, Four muleteers or the bolero Two gardenias Introduced by Carmen Fernández with bulerías, a little extra footwork, and a Jerez-style finale. And since we were dreaming of wine country, why not take a trip to the Bay of Cádiz with some cantiñas, expertly performed by the woman from Málaga? Carmen Camacho –not to be confused with the poet from Alcaudete of the same name, collaborator of Rocío Márquez–, a highly accomplished artist who drew gasps of amazement from the audience with the flight of her shawl.
And so the party ended with a bulerías, the entire cast giving what the audience demanded: an orthodox flamenco performance, without any experimental embellishments or additives, offered with dedication by each and every artist, to the point that for a moment we forgot the summer heat, but only for a moment: at the end of the show we rushed to refresh ourselves with a blonde beer in the theater's bar, but also to toast to the excellent health of the flamenco and for the great flamenco dancers who carry it as a banner all over the world.
Credits
Gala Flamenco Dancers
16rd Festival Flamenco from Stuttgart
Theaterhaus of Stuttgart
August 2th, 2026
Directed by: Miguel Ángel Espino
Dance: Sara Luque, Carmen Camacho, Laura Fúnez, Araceli Muñoz
Guitar: Antonio Españadero, Fernando de la Rua
CanteCarmen Fernández, Momi from Cádiz
