Flamenco Legend: Farruquito Intimo Announced At Renée And Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Segerstrom Center for the Arts announces as part of its 2022-2023 dance series, Farruquito Flamenco, on Wednesday, November 9 at 8:00 pm, in Segerstrom Hall. Farruquito's roots in flamenco dance has taken him all over the world, immersing audiences in his gift as the "greatest Flamenco dancer of this new century." (New York Times) As the principal inheritor of the greatest Gypsy flamenco bloodline, Farruquito has made it his life's mission to share the purest form of flamenco on stages all around the world while further broadening his influence by collaborating with the most paramount film directors, conductors and artists of our time.

Farruquito's Intimo recounts the origins and history of flamenco in which dance is shown in its purest state. While in an intimate atmosphere, but at the same time imbued with strength, it intentionally exalts each stage element to the service of dance. A liturgy begins in which the most personal side of Farruquito is revealed. A seguiriya announces the appearance of the Maestro, from which the audience is moved to the exaltation of traditional and distinguished flamenco styles such as tangos, soleá, bulerías, or alegrias. In each step, in each silent moment, in each movement full of live music, in each gesture, wisdom and strength are displayed. Farruquito evokes a journey through flamenco full of sensations, of freedom; returning his roots to the stage while contemplating the world from within.

Farruquito (Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya), son of flamenco singer Juan Fernández Flores "El Moreno" and dancer Rosario Montoya Manzano "La Farruca", and the eldest of 3 siblings including Manuel Fernández Montoya "El Carpeta" and Alegría Fernández Montoya, was immersed in the purest form of flamenco founded by his grandfather, "El Farruco", one of the greatest dancers in the history of flamenco.

His first international stage appearance was at the age of four, on Broadway in New York City, alongside his grandfather in the hit show Flamenco Puro. At the age of 11, he was featured in the film Flamenco, produced by the legendary film director Carlos Saura, that launched Farruquito's career and positioned him amongst the most elite flamenco artists. That same year, together with the flamenco legends in his family, he created and choreographed Bodas de Gloria. In 1992 he had the honor of sharing the stage with his grandfather, at the inauguration of the Paralympic Games in Barcelona.

When Farruquito was 15, El Farruco, the then patriarch of the flamenco dynasty, passed, and Farruquito became the heir of the Farruco flamenco lineage. That same year he created his first show, Raíces Flamencas (Flamenco Roots) which not only distinguished his mastery as a dancer but also gave him the opportunity to showcase the traditions of his prodigious flamenco line. Raíces Flamencas debuted at the Royal Festival Hall, London and continued to tour with high acclaim around the world.

In 2001 he was named the best artist to have set foot in the Big Apple (The New York Times) after his performance of La Len Varo at the Flamenco Festival. The following year, Farruquito triumphed in his native city, Seville, with a full season at the Teatro Central. After his wildly successful performance at the third season of the Flamenco Festival in the United States, he embarked on a cross country tour of the US, where critics hailed not only his talent as a dancer but also his incredible personality as an artist. Farruquito was soon after voted one of the "World's 50 Most Beautiful People" by People magazine.

In 2003, the Academy of Music in Spain honored him for his lyrics on "Dulce Canela" in the María de Niña Pastori album and for his zapateo accompaniment on the homage album to Jeros. In the meantime, Farruquito continued to lead his dance academy located in Seville, founded on the precepts of the Farruco school. The popularity of his following premiere, Alma Vieja, at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville, lead to a wildly successful European tour.

Due to tragic events in his personal life, Farruquito was absent from the performance stage but returned in summer of 2008 with his new production Puro where fans and critics alike claimed "Farruquito has returned to his reign!" In 2010 he premiered Sonerías at the Bienal de Flamenco of Seville where his audiences experienced the raw roots of Flamenco, with a theatrical flair that they had never seen from him. Invited by the prestigious fashion label, Louis Vuitton, Farruquito later starred in Mirror of Passion.

Farruquito triumphed in the premiere of Baile Flamenco (El Mundo) after a sold-out season of this show with costumes designed by Louis Vuitton and Berlutti. In 2013, Farruquito created Improvisao, a show returning to his roots and demonstrating what he learned in this profession: a fusion of singing, guitar, and dance at his highest level with the quest of creating something new every day.

In 2015, Farruquito was invited to dance with the LA Philharmonic, in 4 sold-out gala concerts of an adapted version of El Amor Brujo, directed by Gustavo Dudamel at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Farruquito returned to the United States for a coast-to-coast tour in 2016.

More about the 2022-23 Dance Series-

December 9-18, American Ballet Theatre continues its annual holiday engagement of Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker, returning for the 7th time on our Segerstrom Hall stage. March 29-April 2, 2023, American Ballet Theatre will give the North American Premiere of Like Water for Chocolate at the Center. From the award-winning team of choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and composer Joby Talbot, with costumes by Bob Crowley, this co-production with the Royal Ballet is inspired by Laura Esquivel's bestselling novel of the same name. Wheeldon and his team have turned "Latin-American magical realism into a fluid, clear and cohesive dance narrative" (Culture Whisper).

New York based tap dance company, Dorrance Dance, will take the stage April 8, exploring what is most thrilling, brilliant, and beautiful about tap dancing with a program called SOUNDSpace. In May, LA Dance Project will present its contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet (May 12-14) created by artistic director Benjamin Millepied. Other contemporary ballet performances offered in the new season include Center favorite Alonzo King LINES Ballet

40th Anniversary (May 27) known for their "gripping, urgently beautiful choreography" (San Francisco Chronicle). Also, on June 3, Vancouver based Ballet BC brings its diverse style and exemplary works of contemporary ballet that goes beyond the boundaries of the genre. Visit the Center's website www.scfta.org for more information.

FARRUQUITO FLAMENCO

Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 8:00 pm

Segerstrom Hall

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