MANUEL DE FALLA’S *EL AMOR BRUJO*

EL AMOR BRUJO – Manuel de Falla

The UC3M Orchestra and principal dancers from the Spanish National Ballet, conducted by Rubén Olmo.

Date: May 15 and 16, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: UC3M Auditorium (Leganés Campus)

UC3M Orchestra
Director: Manuel Coves

Spanish National Ballet
Director: Rubén Olmo

Flamenco Singer: Esperanza Fernández
Narrator: Ana Hernández Sanchiz

Conceived as a total theatrical work, *El amor brujo* is much more than just music: it is a sensory experience that integrates orchestra, dance, and drama into a deeply evocative language. The Carlos III University of Madrid, through its Orchestra, conducted by Manuel Coves, performs this iconic work by Manuel de Falla, featuring principal dancers from the Spanish National Ballet, directed by Rubén Olmo, and a live flamenco singer and narrator, in a stage production of great expressive intensity.

Choreography: Rubén Olmo
Music: Manuel de Falla
Carlos III University of Madrid Orchestra
Director: Manuel Coves
Libretto: María de la O Lejárraga
Lighting: Juan Gómez Cornejo
Costumes: Dancers: Costumes for The Madman, costume design by Jesús Ruiz, costume production: Ana Lacoma, Josep Ahumada, González, Maty and Adame. Narrator: costumes by La Bella Otero, design Yaiza Pinillos, costume design: Cornejo. Flamenco singer: costumes The Heart of Green Stone, costume design Yvonne Blake, costume production: Pipa y Milagros Workshop
Footwear: Gallardo

Cast

Sorceress: Inmaculada Salomón
Candelas: Débora Martínez
Lucía: Miriam Mendoza
Espectro and José: Eduardo Martínez
Carmelo: José Manuel Benítez

Let him come, let him come!…

During his final years in Paris, Manuel de Falla met Gregorio Martínez Sierra and his wife, María de la O Lejárraga. Thanks to this connection, upon his return to Madrid, Falla collaborated on the creation of a new repertoire piece for the flamenco dancer Pastora Imperio for the 1914–1915 season at the Teatro Lara: El amor brujo.

Somewhere between a monodrama, a ballet, and a concert suite, *El amor brujo* is one of the most iconic scores in the Spanish orchestral repertoire, and its “Ritual Dance of Fire” is its most popular piece. Rewritten numerous times—between 1915 and 1925—in various formats, the work is constantly open to creation and reinvention, as well as to collaboration with artists with flamenco roots.

Songs, spells, dances, love… Rubén Olmo—director of the Spanish National Ballet—brings to life in this new ballet about *El amor brujo* , offers a more contemporary and personal take on this classic by Manuel de Falla.

Plot

Candelas, a young and beautiful Gypsy woman, was passionately in love with a dissolute and jealous Gypsy man who was stabbed to death in a brawl. Tormented by the spirit of her former lover, she turns to a sorceress to cast spells that will set her free.

Carmelo, a young Romani man, loves Candelas, but she does not return his love, as she is still possessed by the spirit of her lover. The Sorceress, in agreement with Lucía—a friend of Candelas and Carmelo who was also once a friend of the Spectre—decides to use her magic to free her, convening a Magic Circle where Candelas performs the Ritual Dance of Fire to ward off evil spirits; despite this, Candelas remains under the Spectre’s influence. Carmelo suggests to Lucía that she use her charms to seduce the Spectre; Lucía, following his advice, agrees and ends up falling in love with him, thus managing to draw him away from Candelas. The lovers kiss and triumph over the Specter’s malevolent influence, and the Specter disappears forever, vanquished by love.

Tickets

• General Admission – 8 €
• Reduced Admission – 5 €

Reduced-Price Ticket

The following individuals are eligible for reduced-price admission:

• Members of the UC3M University Community (price applies to the registered primary participant and one accompanying person)
• People 65 and older
• People with disabilities, as defined in Article 1.2 of Law 51/2003, of December 2, on equal opportunities, non-discrimination, and universal accessibility for people with disabilities

Activity with credit recognition through the Activity Passport (requires prior registration, purchase of a ticket, and mandatory signature upon completion of the activity).