Flamenco A3 @ The Zoo

Flamenco A3 brings together Brazilian Flavio Rodrigues, Cordoba’s Pedro Obregon, and Sevillian David Coria, in a mesmerising showcase of music, dance, and song.

Exceptionally talented flamenco guitarist Rodrigues is wonderful to listen to, with unwavering focus throughout the hour-long show, during which he gave several solo performances. Although his intense concentration could have been mistaken for a lack of audience awareness, his passion for his music is clear, and there could well be an element of shyness. Singer Obregon was equally serious at times, but his undeniable enthusiasm for clapping revealed genuine enjoyment.

However, it was Coria’s dancing that stole the show; at risk of sounding like a sleazy-cheesy pop song, I have never seen anyone move like that before. Wildly free, yet beautifully controlled, Coria had the attention of everyone in the room. Initially concerned that I’d made a terrible mistake in choosing a seat right in front of a speaker, I soon realised that those in the front row had a price to pay for their excellent view, as increasing volumes of sweat flew around the stage – a sign of the high energy demand of flamenco. It seems that this dance form is the key to physical perfection!

The Madrid-based trio maintained impressively synchronised rhythms as they moved slickly from one song to the next, and perhaps they will inspire more Scottish men to take up flamenco.