|
Columbia
Artists Music LLC
and the Quick Center for the Arts proudly presented an exciting evening
with the Amalia Hernández's Ballet Folklórico de Mexico in
conjunction with the Mexico Tourism Board
on February 26, 2010. Founded in 1952 by dancer and choreographer Amalia
Hernández, the Ballet Folklórico de Mexico, based in Mexico
City, Mexico has delighted audiences
around the world with over 15,000 performances in 60 countries and 300 cities.
Mexico is a country rich in history, culture, and art; and each of
the 31 states of Mexico
has its own distinct flavor of cultural traditions, styles of music, and types
of dance. The Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández brought a fine artistic
interpretation of the many regions and the folklore traditions of the country
through an extensive 10-part program that combined music, dance, and elaborate
costumes into a stunning theatrical extravaganza that kept the audience
enraptured throughout the evening.
The
evening's program began with a selection entitled, The Gods that was
described as, "a dialogue between man and his Gods as a summary of Aztec
theology." This beautiful dance focused on the spiritual and the mystical
elements of life. The second element of the program was entitled Guerrero,
with the dancers performing the tap dance, El Gusto, typical of the towns
Zirandaro and Altamiriano.
Colorful Dancers
The Revolution
of 1910 was the basis for this ballet that was dedicated to the soldaderas, the women who fought in the
revolution alongside their men in the fight for Mexico's freedom. The ballet begins
with young aristocrats dancing European polkas unconcerned about the ongoing
fight for freedom going on around them, and progresses with the revolutionaries
coming in and taking over the party and dancing their popular peasant dances
including La Adelita, symbolizing Mexico's freedom.
Revolution of 1910
The Charreada,
the original Mexican rodeo, was well
represented with two dances, The Rope Dance with its exciting
lasso work by the charros, the
working ranch hands; and the Country Love Dance, where the
dancers form a bow through choreographed dance movements using only their feet.
Although we have seen this dance performed countless times during performances
we have attended during our many visits to Mexico, this special dance
continues to captivate each time that we see it performed.
The Rope Dance
Concluding
the first part of the program was the Tlacotalpan Festivity marking the
January 31st celebration of the Candelaria Virgin in the town of Tlacotalpan, characterized
by the use of mojigangas, the
elaborate large-scale puppets symbolizing cultural figures.
Tlacotalpan Festivity
After
an intermission, the ballet commenced with The Feather Dance, which was
inspired by the ancient custom of the Zapotec
Indians who demonstrated hospitality and respect through music and dance.
The costumes were magnificent with the dancers wearing elaborate feather
headdresses while dancing intricate movements.
The Feather Dance
The Wedding in the Huasteca
followed, which told the story of love, of rivals, and the many twists and
turns that place before, during, and after a wedding. Life Like a Game begins
with The
Plaza (Rondas) with Childhood
Games followed by Games of Love; and continues with The
Fair featuring Gambling Games, The Lottery, La Cucaracha,
The
Golden Fighting Cock, The Purple Fighting Cock, and The
Little Death; and The Ball: Social Games, The
Roulette, and Games of Death.
Wedding in the Huasteca
The
pre-Hispanic Danza del Venado (Deer Dance) based on the ritual of the Yaqui,
the indigenous people of Northern Mexico, who have the reputation of being
excellent hunters and hunt with bows and arrows. The Deer Dance is a ritual
used for the preparation of a hunt to bring luck and bountiful profit for those
who participate. This dramatic interpretation was beautifully presented and
captured the spirit of the people.
Deer Dance
Closing
out the evening, was a marvelous mariachi
performance with 16 musicians onstage representing the state of Jalisco, the state known for the charros, the chinas, and the mariachis
which have come to symbolize Mexican hospitality, and was a wonderful way to
end the spectacular festivities of the evening.
Mariachi
Quick Center for the Arts
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
United States
Telephone: +1-203-254-4010
Toll-Free: +1-877-ARTS396
Website: www.QuickCenter.com
Read
about Mexico in the Destinations,
Hotels and
Resorts, Spas,
Restaurants,
Chefs'
Recipes, Liquor
Cabinet - Scorpion Mezcal and Liquor
Cabinet - Xtabentun, Music
Scene, Adventures,
Arts
- The Art and Science of Talavera Pottery at Talavera de la Reyna, Cholula,
Puebla, Mexico, and Gastronomy
- Cocina Poblana Cooking Class at Sacristia de la Compania, Puebla, Mexico sections.
For
information on the Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández,
please visit the website: www.BalletAmalia.com
or send an email to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
For
information on Mexico,
please visit the website: www.VisitMexico.com.
|
