DAVID CORIA

Can we really call these incredible episodes where people gathered and relentlessly shook their bodies, to the point of exhaustion and even to death, “dance”? This dance sickness or “choreomania”, which has occurred several times over the centuries in various parts of Europe, forms the starting point of David Coria’s new creation.

Inspired by the facts and legends surrounding this worrying event, “Los Bailes Robados” (The Stolen Dances, in Spanish) boldly explores the relationships between dance and freedom. Once again, the dancer and choreographer has surrounded himself with the best of the Andalusian scene: in addition to himself, Paula Comitre (alternating with Aitana Rousseau), Florencia Oz, Rafael Ramírez and Marta Galvez will be present, accompanied by the singer David Lagos, winner of the prestigious Lámpara Minera, the cellist Isidora O’Ryan and the guitarist Alfredo Lagos. Together, the make this “pas de deux con vida” an artistic object of both performance and exorcism, in both the hysteria of movement and in motionless force. “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution”, said Russian anarchist Emma Goldman. Perhaps these strange dancers only hoped to exorcise their chains. Or, quite simply, to express their joy.

David Coria

Sevillian dancer and choreographer David Coria has established himself in recent years as one of the leading figures of the new flamenco. Having danced for Antonio Gades, Rocío Molina, Eva Yerbabuena, Rafaela Carrasco and the National Ballet of Spain, he choreographed pieces for the Andalusia Flamenco Ballet and Rafaela Carrasco’s company. His creations, El Encuentro (2017), Anonimo (2019) and Fandango! (2020) have been crowned with many awards. In 2022, he created the duo Imperfecto alongside Jann Gallois at the Chaillot – National Theatre of Dance.