Maestro Jeffrey Eckstein and Siempre Flamenco announce the return of Flamenco Sephardit Passion and Grace to Miami for the sixth consecutive year on Sunday, January 27, at 7pm. Temple Emanu-El (1701 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139) once again hosts the performance. Featuring a cast of international opera stars, guitarists, flamenco masters, and distinguished classical musicians, Flamenco Sephardit promises audiences a deeply emotional and transcendent experience.
The production welcomes Laura León as vocal soloist (replacing Rebekah Diaz Fandrei), cellist Chava Appiah, and violinist Katherine Kobylarz.
The show explores the connection between Ladino and Flamenco music, two distinct cultures born in Spain. Ladino originated from the Jews who were exiled from Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. It emerged from the songs these exiled Jews composed in their adopted homelands using their old Spanish from the 1400s. Similarly, Flamenco emerged from the cries and sufferings of the Moors, Gypsies, and Jews after they were banned from Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. Flamenco Sephardit explores similarities and differences in these two cultures.
The talented ensemble includes the father/daughter team of Jeff and Lakshmi Basile. Jeff is a prominent bassist and composer and has written the string arrangements for the show since its inception. Lakshmi (La Chimi) is a world-renowned flamenco dancer who has spent much of her career in Spain. The cast also features vocalists Rabbi Marc Philippe and Paco Fonta, dancer Celia Fonta, guitarists Paco Fonta and Michel Gonzalez, and percussionist Adolfo Herrera.
“The message of Flamenco Sephardit has always been to bring people of diverse cultures and religions together, to remind us that we all have similar origins, and therefore should live together in peace,” said Maestro Eckstein. “We are so excited to welcome the incredible Jeff Basile and La Chimi to this already phenomenal cast. Flamenco Sephardit is experiencing a full circle moment, with La Chimi having spent so much of her Flamenco career living in Spain, complementing Paco Fonta’s heritage from Andalusia, and Jeff having collaborated on all of our strings arrangements since 2013. We are also so pleased to welcome back our sound designer Cody Engstrom, who truly makes the space come alive!” said Eckstein.
Tickets are $25 in advance and can be purchased by visiting flamencosephardit.com or by calling 800.515.1831. Tickets purchased on January 27th online or at the door are $30. VIP tickets are $65 in advance and $75 on January 27th and include seats in the first 5 rows, a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception, as well as a meet and greet with the company.
