Enrique de Allende: FlamencOpera

[Gary R. Beck]

Enrique de Allende

FlamencOpera

Enrique de Allende [Enrique Fernández] is an accomplished singer of Latin romantic tunes, classic, contemporary and flamenco. Opera is dear to him and loves mixing the strong Latin sound and lyrics with using his voice in operetic stylings. He reaches and soars to the stars above this outside hacienda setting.

Born in San Miguel de Allende, he was schooled in music and has worked with many stars, in training or backing vocals. He is a master of the stage having a number of years gaining experiences 

throughout the Latin and US communities. Enrique's new concept is 'Flamenco meets Opera' = "FlamencOpera".

His six member local band with one guest has studied this combination of Latin and Opera for several months and everyone seemed pleased with the results in our ears. The tightly firm band was Roberto Falcon on bass, Jaír and Nacho guitars, Luis Rascón on chelo [cello], Gary Flores percussion, Eugenia violin and solo guitarist Caleb.

Enrique breezed into "A Mi Manera", delivering this masterpiece of Frank Sinatra confidently in Spanish. In ending, he concluded [I did it] "My Way" in English. The blood of Mexico flowed through him as he soared to the highest notes flawlessly sung, certain of himself. His presentation was so impressive that he blew the audience toward the darkening sky. "Viva México!"

Hacienda Palo Maria is a stunning boutique hotel a mere miles south of Puerto Vallarta. The enormous area was arranged with socially distanced tables. A live DVD was being recorded throughout the singing and music. Care was taken to remain still so there was no background clutter noise. Four sets were arranged, each with three songs presented. A drone flew overhead recording the event for release in two to three months. Phil Stewart of Arizona arranged his lodging and huge outdoor areas for tonight's musical event.

Our headliner was joined by Branden & James, the local favorite pairing of with Branden's delicious tenor voice arising from a pop/rock background and James, classically trained and adoring his cello. Setting their own course of live performing, they chose the stunning "Hallelujah" from Leonard Cohen accompanied by Nathan on piano. 

Another smash hit from the States, made famous by many artists including Elvis Presley was "It's Now or Never" ["Es Ahora o Nunca"]. Enrique delivered the ballad in soft Spanish. Shoulders swayed to its sweetness. Agustin Lara's smooth and lilting "Granada" was given the traditional Latin interpretation in mood but Enrique arched his trained vocals operatically higher. One could hear male Latin opera singers projecting a sincere aria for decades. His six-piece band played their usual Latin rhythms and beats but classical opera was an added factor in their arrangements.

The night's presentation included a flamenco dancer, terrific band musicians and eight mariachi overlooking the bahía. Ample drinks and several hor d’oeuvres were offered and in finale, fireworks burst between the multicolored-lit tall palms lining the venue's tables of attendees.

    

A new project: he will be traveling "all over the world" performing his new creation "FlamencOpera", a blend of traditional Mexican band music as heard tonight with shades of classical opera, another one of his loves. He will appear with all-Latin musicians and spread the love and joy of this soul-stirring music.

He traversed the musical octaves and each note on the scale was sung to perfection. Tonight, uptempo dance music is combined with heartfelt ballads. When the eight mariachi strolled down the aisle onto the stage with misty remembrances of the sun having set, horns blared, guitars strummed and the lead man sang either party themes or touching slow tunes. Enrique joined them with everyone now certain that they were nestled in Mexico. 

"Bésame Mucho" is a composition which lends itself to many interpretations and tonight listeners were treated to a local meshing of musical talents led by Enrique's vocals. This beautiful tune was embraced as a highlight of the evening. Returning to view and the shouts of Otra!, he cooed "Cucurrucucú Paloma". One could hear the mourning dove expressing its love sickness. But there was nothing sad tonight and the audience gave everyone involved a hearty muchas gracias.

More photos on my Facebook Shows group below.

Hacienda Palo Maria

Carretera a Barra de Navidad 322-222-1530 http://www.haciendapalomaria.com

Gary R.Beck

Puerto Vallarta, JAL. 
www.facebook.com/groups/837053096708212 

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