AN ACCOMPLISHED AND AFFECTIONATE TRIBUTE TO ONE OF FLAMENCO’S GREATEST INNOVATORS

By Madeleine Anderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Paying tribute to a giant like Sabicas is no small task. The pioneering guitarist transformed flamenco by establishing the guitar as a solo instrument and taking the art form to audiences around the world. This celebration at Sadler’s Wells honours that legacy through three outstanding guitarists and one stunning dancer.

Gerardo Núñez, Antonio Rey and Álvaro Martinete each bring something different. Núñez combines tradition with invention, Rey’s playing is bold and effortlessly expressive, while Martinete proves himself a rising talent with impressive confidence and technique. Together, they demonstrate both the richness of flamenco’s past and its dynamism today.

Dancer Olga Pericet is the evening’s standout performer. Every time she steps on stage, she commands attention with striking musicality and dramatic presence. Her movement adds texture and oozes emotion, creating some of the performance’s most memorable moments.

That is also why the balance of the programme feels slightly uneven. There could have been a stronger connection between Pericet and the musicians, with more moments of genuine exchange rather than separate performances sharing the same stage.

More would also have strengthened the evening. Perhaps that is an unfair criticism of a programme deliberately centred on the guitar, but it says much about Pericet’s impact that her absence is so noticeable.

The production is also held back by inconsistent sound. At times the microphones lack clarity and projection, leaving some of the guitar playing without the definition it deserves. For a performance built around such technical brilliance, the sound design needed greater precision.

Even so, this is an accomplished and affectionate tribute to one of flamenco’s greatest innovators.

Rather than simply looking back, it celebrates Sabicas’ influence through artists who continue to expand the tradition he helped redefine. It is an evening of remarkable musicianship, even if the production itself does not always match the quality on stage.

Night Of The Guitar was performed at Sadler’s Wells on Thursday 25 June, as part of the London Flamenco Festival.

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Photo Credit: Javier Fergo