The Sevillian dancer is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of his show 'La Edad de Oro' (The Golden Age), which was an indisputable milestone in his career, at the Jerez Festival.
Sometimes the difference between being asked for your head and being applauded is just a matter of time. Maybe just twenty years. That's how long it's been since the premiere of The Golden Age, the show that marked an indisputable milestone in the career of Israel GalvanIt is true that, previously, since he founded his company in 1998, he had given signs of where his path would go in productions such as The Red Shoes, The Metamorphosis o GalvanicBut it was with this work, which has been taking him around the world for some time now, that he definitively established his personal way of understanding dance, and in the process questioned how others understood it.
A few months ago I wrote that the Sevillian is probably no longer so interested in putting on shows to go on tour, as in selling a concept adaptable to multiple formats and needs. The re-run of The Golden Age This prediction is not denied, as over time it has undergone many changes in repertoire and formation. What remains is the spirit that made Galván break through, to put it in the words of his partner in the adventure. Peter G. Romero, between two lies that had come to coexist in those fin-de-siècle years, the traditional canon and the fusion frenzy.
This Galvan of The Golden Age, however, still fits the palos established and recognizable of the flamenco. Under a lighting design that would have deserved the approval of Caravaggio, , the dancer escorted by the young voice of Maria Marin and the wise Bajañí of Rafael Rodriguez The Head will be unraveling a classical repertoire that includes soleá, seguiriya, tientos and tangos, alegrías, sevillanas, a pasodoble or some bulerías with opportune echoes of The Paquera…What is not at all classic – you guessed it – is Israel Galván.
It is true that he has been reproducing and perfecting this discourse for twenty years, and it is still a source of astonishment how he has managed to establish his own dance language. It does not even matter that he has borrowed some elements from others, because he already said Eugenio D'Ors In art, what is not a copy is plagiarism: these are things from Israel. I am referring to the cubist figures, the comb with the fingers, the boot-tapping on the chair, the bullfighting poses, the drum roll, the hand like a falling leaf, the header of an invisible ball... The best thing is that, gifted with rhythm and highly trained for improvisation as he is, he does not indulge in any of these resources, but alternates them at an astonishing speed so that the public's attention is not allowed to blink.
«If we accept that his work is avant-garde, we must underline that humour is an essential part of it, that it is an anti-solemn avant-garde. He may displease the orthodox, he may show a notable lack of emotion, but he will do it all with a smile»
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1. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
2. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
3. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
4. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
5. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abion
6. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
7. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
8. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
9. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
10. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
11. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
12. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
13. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
14. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
15. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
16. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
17. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
18. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
19. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
20. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
21. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
22. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
23. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
24. 'The Golden Age', by Israel Galván Company. XXIX Jerez Festival. Villamarta Theatre. March 6, 2025. Photo: Esteban Abión
On the other hand, it is surprising that the Villamarta was not filled for the occasion, and in fact there were many empty seats. Have you seen Galván many times, or is it that Rome does not pay traitors? What is certain is that the audience gathered there was noticeably different from the one that has been attending this edition of the festival, perhaps younger or more restless, less in line with the profile of the fan. stricto sensu.
It was interesting to hear at one point, from the stalls, a voice saying: “Ole to those who dance gypsy and well!”. Was it irony? If so, he would have hit a nerve, because if there is one thing that characterizes Israel Galván, it is that he always seems The first one willing to laugh at everything, including himselfIf Daredevil was the man without fear, Galván is the man without fear of ridicule. If we accept that his work is avant-garde, we must underline that humour is an essential part of it, that it is an anti-solemn avant-garde. He may displease the orthodox, he may show a notable lack of emotion, but he will do it all with a smile.
The same smile that spread throughout the auditorium when, as a closing act, the artists exchanged roles, María Marín on the guitar, El Cabeza dancing in a galvanic style and Israel singing bulerías, with a face as if asking: “Do you remember, twenty years ago…?”
Credits
The Golden Age, from Israel Galvan Company
29th Jerez Festival
Villamarta Theatre
March 6th 2025
Choreography and dance: Israel Galván
Cante: Maria Marin
Guitar: Rafael Rodriguez
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