Beginning their current tour in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Paco Peña and his sextet will bring the true spirit of flamenco to audiences all over the world.
As guitarist, composer, dramatist and mentor, Peña’s imagination, dedication and skill constantly renew this archetypal Spanish art form. As the leader of an immensely talented ensemble—in dance, voice and music— he has assembled a stellar lineup for his Folsom debut.
Critics don’t review Paco Peña; they rave - enthusiastically. In a review dated January 22, 2013, Brian Seibert of the
New York Times said, “Listening to the flamenco guitarist Paco Peña play solo, you might believe a few guitarists were helping him out, hidden backstage. He’s that good. And yet what’s most admirable about this modest virtuoso, who can hold an audience spellbound on his own, is how he surrounds himself with artists of similar caliber and lets them shine.” Mr. Seibert goes on at length describing the three dancers, “all marvelous” and his sextet as “excellent company all around.”
Readers of Guitar magazine judged Paco Peña “Best Flamenco Guitarist of the Year” for five consecutive years. Their program, entitled Flamenco Vivo, is a musical journey that displays the highest level of modern flamenco, highlighting the rhythmic complexities of its latest variations of dance, song and guitar. Flamenco Vivo also looks back to the most primitive and pure forms of this captivating art and pays respect to the legacy this tradition has left us. “If you only ever see flamenco once in your life, make it this!” (The Independent, London). He expands its horizons, yet never loses touch with its visceral emotion.“…certainly the most satisfying flamenco concert this reviewer has heard” (
New York Times).
Born in the Andalucian city of Cordoba, Peña began learning guitar from his brother at the age of six and made his first professional appearance at the age of 12. In the late 1960's he left Spain for London, where his recitals of flamenco music captured the public imagination.
Venues for his solo performances have included the intimate Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the monumental Royal Albert Hall in London, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He has shared the stage with fellow-guitarists, singers and instrumental groups, bridging diverse musical genres, including classical, jazz, blues, country and Latin American.
Paco Peña: Flamenco Vivo performs at Three Stages on Monday, February
25, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25-$39; premium tickets are available for
$49. Students with ID’s are $12. They may be purchased online at
threestages.net,
or from the Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m., Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Three
Stages is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in
Folsom, facing East Bidwell Street.
Blog Post picture and information courtesy of Three Stages.
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