Lunchtime Concert
Friday 17th March 2023, 1.10pm
Celebration of Voice
Jesus Olmedo Flamenco Company
Adrian Sola – guitar
Carlos Lobo – voice
Jesus Olmedo – dance
Todays programme will be a celebration of the vibrancy and passion of Flamenco and will be introduced during the concert. Here are some words from the artists…
Music does not belong to minds, music belongs to hearts. “Flamenco” is a show born from a passion for music, without borders, where flamenco is the main thread and inspiration for creation. The brotherhood of artists from Barcelona, Cadiz and Madrid gives rise to this unique opportunity to enjoy the purest flamenco with innovative touches where improvisation will lead to magical moments through the cante of Carlos Lobo, the fabulous touch of maestro Adrian Solá and the powerful zapateados full of strength and elegance of the dancer Jesus Olmedo, who will also be the choreographer of this show.
Jesus Olmedo was born in the colourful Arganzuela quarter of Madrid in December, 1985. One of three children from a working-class family, his precocious talent and innate love for Spanish dance led him to commence studies at the Madrid dance conservatoire when just eight years of age.
When he was ten, Jesus was selected to perform in the iconic production’ Homenaje a Madrid,’ which ran for over three years. The work was choreographed by the famous Spanish dancer Marienma, a leading figure in the world of Spanish Classical dance for over 40 years, who described the young Jesus as “very intelligent, inquisitive and restless.” His love of flamenco grew when, aged 11, he met his idol of the time, Joaquin Cortes, and at thirteen, further inspired by the music of singer El Potito, he decided to study Flamenco dance with maestro Rafael de Cordoba: “From Rafael I learnt to love Flamenco”. A continual flow of professional engagements ensued, and when he was 15, Jesus performed in the award -winning film “El Otro Barrio” alongside some of Spain’s best-known actors. Television work and live performances continued alongside his studies, and at 18, “El Chacho”, as he is known to his friends, graduated with a title in dance from the Madrid Conservatoire. In the same year (2003) he joined the Flamenco company “Juanma” as principal male sololist, performing the premier of “El Raiz” with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra at the Teatro Real in 2004. Jesus was awarded, alongside his his friend and colleague Jorge Muelas, for their outstanding contributions as young artists to Spanish Dance, in a 2005 ceremony at the Teatro Albeniz in the Spanish capital. From 2006 to 2008 Jesus toured Spain intensively with the group of guitarist Alejandro Torres, before moving to Ibiza and forming the group “Querencia”, which performed there to public and critical acclaim. In Ibiza Jesus also began his career as a dance teacher and has found new inspiration in sharing his knowledge and experience of flamenco. Jesus arrived in London during 2009 to embark on his stage career. He soon became one of the most popular flamenco dancers in London performing in venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2013, Jesus was selected by Riverdance Company to travel to Dublin amongst twenty top-skilled dancers from around the world. During the same year, Jesus appeared in the world’s media for being the flamenco teacher of Pippa Middleton, sister of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Pippa, who writes a weekly column in The Telegraph, decided to write an article about her experience learning Sevillanas with Jesus Olmedo. Jesus participated as an actor and dancer on “Bizet’s Carmen” during 2013 and 2015 seasons performing at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden (London) and sharing stage with worldwide known Opera singers like Anita Rachvelishvili, Roberto Alagna and Jonas Kaufmann. Recently, he has appeared in more than 100 countries and territories in the flamenco inspired FIBA Basketball World Cup title sequence, produced by Radiant productions on behalf of FIBA. Since 2008 Jesus has been teaching for private, group classes and is in demand for his popular workshops across the world. To date workshops have been conducted in Dubai (UAE), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales), Madrid (Spain), Lima (Perú), Sydney (Australia), Christchurch, Auckland (New Zealand), Hobart (Tasmania) and Beijing (China). In 2022 Jesus is selected to participate as a Flamenco Dancer in the Scottish Opera play “Ainadamar” choreographed by Antonio Najarro & Deborah Colker premiering in Glasgow & Edinburgh. Jesus has evident percussion skills and plays other musical instruments including piano and guitar, enjoys listening to The Beatles and acting; he is a hard die “Real Madrid” supporter and also works as a tour director.
Adrian Sola trained as a flamenco guitarist and studied music theory and flute at the School of modern music in Badalona. He furthered his development attending master classes with guitar virtuosos Zsolt Hernandi and Rafael Canizares. Since moving to the U.K he has become a much sought-after accompanist, working regularly with established London based flamenco dancers and singers. In an ensemble or as a soloist Adrián is a versatile and adaptable musician, he plays flamenco master pieces as well as his own compositions with gusto. He has exceptional stage presence and a capacity to blend musical styles, ensuring a consistent production of high-quality performances.
A Date for Your Diary…
…Wednesday 31st May…
…Three Concerts, One Day of Music…
Lunchtime Concert @ 1:10pm – Antonin Artaud Theatre
Featuring a collection of performances by current Music Award students
Leaver’s Solos @ 2:30pm – Antonin Artaud Theatre
Solo recitals by our graduating Music Award students
The Final Concert @ 7:30pm – Antonin Artaud Theatre
Varied performances from our many musical ensembles and soloists to celebrate the end of the academic year
Next Lunchtime Concert: 1.10pm Friday 22rd September 2023
Anyssa Neumann - piano
Following her acclaimed debut Brunel concert in 2020 we welcome the return of international recitalist and researcher Anyssa Neumann for a programme of Ravel and Couperin.