MALAC "QUEEN OF HEAVEN" - Contemporary Ballet/Flamenco Dance

MALAC "Queen of Heaven" - Ballet commissioned by The Spanish Circle

An innovative and inspired new ballet to celebrate the cultural symbiosis between the Hispanic world in the United Kingdom. 

The talented Spanish pianist and composer Javier Rodríguez has received a direct commission from the founder and Chair of The Spanish Circle, Carmen Bouverat de Young, to create a contemporary ballet Flamenco dance to celebrate the cultural symbiosis between the Hispanic world and the United Kingdom.

THE ARTISTS:

- Javier Rodríguez is a dynamic performer and adventurous composer that has graced the biggest stages in Europe, created several ground-breaking film scores, and left a personal mark on the modern music world.

Born in Spain, Javier studied with legendary pianist Rafael Orozco before embarking on a career that would take him around the world. He spent several years as an in-demand composer for both ballet and cinema, while also becoming a highly sought-after educator. In 2014, he was appointed Music Director of The World Ballet, and went on to become nominated for two Tony Awards and a Spirit Independent Cinema Award.

He has collaborated with some of the most accomplished musicians in the world, including Ravi Shankar, Sura Susso, Yaroldi Abreu, Jansen Santana, Mutsumi Abe, Helio Delmiro, and Modou Toure. Javier is currently based in London, where he maintains a steady schedule of performances.            www.javierrodriguez.org

- The Millenium Ensemble is a multidisciplinary chamber music group, formed in early 2022, that brings together string, percussion, and electroacoustic musicians, depending on the piece.

At each performance, the Millennium Ensemble aims to provide a unique and thrilling musical experience that combines traditional and contemporary elements. Through the fusion of different styles and musical genres, the group seeks to explore new forms of artistic expression and connect with a diverse audience.

The Millennium Ensemble's repertoire spans from classical works by renowned composers to contemporary and experimental compositions. Additionally, the group collaborates with local and international composers to commission new works and promote the creation of original music.

The versatility of the Millennium Ensemble's performers allows them to adapt to different venues and collaborate with artists from various disciplines, such as dancers, actors, and visual artists. In this way, the group strives to create multidisciplinary and multidimensional experiences that combine music, movement, and visual art.

The Millennium Ensemble has performed in diverse national and international venues and festivals.

THE EVENT:

Guests are welcome to book dinner at the NLC’s restaurant after the event, or buy a drink and snacks on the premises and the NLC’s magnificent terrace.

Dress Code: Smart for everyone. No faded/ripped jeans, no sneakers, no T-shirts. 

Date & Time: Wednesday 4th October at 19.30                                                           

Venue: The David Lloyd George Room at the National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE                                                                                                                                        

Tickets: £25 p.p. The ticket includes a glass of Spanish wine per person and a complimentary raffle ticket. There will be a cash bar.

Each attendee’s ticket includes a raffle ticket (you will get the number at the event), and will be entered into the Raffle Prizes:

• Prize 1: A Stunning 'Abalon' London Blue Candle with one refill, kindly donated by the Spanish artist, jewellery designer and ceramic specialist Ana Bridgewater
• Prize 2: A 200grs Colombian coffee bag, a small press coffee maker with a cloth filter, kindly donated by Jaramillo Café
• Prize 3: A travel Colombian coffee kit, kindly donated by Jaramillo Café
• Prize 4: A travel Colombian coffee kit, kindly donated by Jaramillo Café
• Prize 5: A block of 10 one-to-one online Spanish lessons, kindly donated by Spanish Marks
• Prize 6 : A Flamenco beginner's taste class for two, kindly donated by Angela Alonso founder of Ilusión Flamenca
• Prize 7: The fabulous 'PAELLA' newly published book by the Spanish Chef Omar Allibhoy, kindly donated by The Spanish Chef
• Prize 8: A CD by the pianist and composer Javier Rodríguez 

Please note: There will not be a ticket refund if you cannot attend the event, we may offer you a ticket for our next event.

PROGRAM:

-Duration: 65min, no interval         -Genre: Contemporary ballet/ Contemporary Flamenco Dance 

Original Music Composed by: Javier Rodríguez                                                                                           Original Music Performed by: The Millennium Ensemble

Malac, whose name means "Queen of Heaven" was, according to Phoenician mythology, the wife of Eshmun (whose name means "Fire Image"), a god associated with fire and metallurgy. Eshmun was the Cabiro who dies and rises to join Malac, Queen of Heaven.

Historial Explanation:

Noctiluca is a divinity associated with the night and the moon. Its theonym (Malaka) could be the origin of the place name Málaga.

Festo Avieno, a Latin poet from the 4th century, places in front of what is today La Cala del Moral, in Málaga, an island with a temple dedicated to Malac:

"There, in front of the city, there is an island in the domain of the Tartessos, consecrated since ancient times to Noctiluca…"

Currently, the island is connected to the mainland, due to the cone of trawls of the Totalán river, which has blinded the cove that in Roman times was called "Sinus Calacticus", an arm of the sea enclosed between the two cantals of the town of La Moral Cove. The island of Noctiluca occupied the center of that inlet. There you can find one of the few known emerged underwater caves in the world, the Cueva del Tesoro (in Rincón de la Victoria, in this town there is a monument to the goddess on the seafront), an environment that could have been the referred place of worship.

Some surviving coins from ancient Malaka show a female cult. There are also coins that represent the Cabiro, with its attributes; the metallurgical tongs and the pointed cap.

It is believed that the goddess was carried in a procession and submerged in the waters of the sea to provide good fishing for the fishermen, which would be a clear syncretism with some current traditions, specifically related to the Virgen del Carmen (celebrated each 16th July).

With Grateful Thanks to the ARTISTS: Javier Rodríguez and The Millenium Ensemble, and to all our Sponsors, Champions, Donors and Helpers:

THE MILLENIUM  ENSEMBLE 

CHARO REINA

Valencia/Madrid/Barcelona 

Valencia/Madrid/London/Monte Carlo/Saint Tropez

Valencia/Roma/Buenos Aires