Riverdance at 30 and its Spanish connections
The story of the show’s origin as the interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 is equally the stuff of legend. I was fortunate enough to be have been there and to have witnessed what was to prove a unique and transformative moment for Irish music and dance. The public reaction on the night was overwhelming, quite eclipsing the song contest itself (even the Irish winners), and a year later the groundbreaking full-length show was launched..
Though primarily celebrating Ireland’s mythology, music and dance, Riverdance also pays tribute to other styles of dance and music that have influenced Ireland, including that of Spain, and the original live shows featured the renowned flamenco dancer Maria Pagés in two dramatic solo pieces.
Maria Pagés had previously featured in Riverdance composer Bill Whelan’s first foray into his now signature blend of traditional music, dance and orchestra: his Seville Suite of 1992. Written in response to a commission from the Irish Prime Minister’s office for a work to commemorate Ireland’s participation in Expo ’92 in Seville this work tells the historical story of the legendary Red Hugh O’Donnell and his journey – after his defeat at the Battle of Kinsale – to La Coruna and his welcome there by the Spanish Earl of Caracena. The addition of a flamenco dancer for the last movement was inspired, as was the blending of Irish, Spanish and Latin rhythms that subsequently gave Riverdance its unique vitality and originality. Like the very first Riverdance the Seville Suite was performed by the RTE Concert Orchestra and featured leading Irish traditional musicians Davy Spillane (uilleann pipes), Mairtin O’Connor (button accordion), Mel Mercier (bodhran) and Mairead Nesbitt (fiddle), several of whom went on to appear in Riverdance. The Seville Suite received its European Premiere at the Maestranza concert hall in Seville on October 4, 1992 as part of a spectacular Irish weekend that also featured The Chieftains.
Thirty years on the dancers in Riverdance are all now younger than the show itself and even includes children of the original cast. Flamenco dancers Rocio and Alba Dusmet from Madrid have inherited Maria Pagés iconic role. As the current summer run in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre is being followed by extensive tours in the UK and the USA the extraordinary success of Riverdance seems set to continue and to attract a new generation of audiences around the world.
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*Simon Taylor is a musician and classical guitarist based in Dublin. Formerly the CEO of Dublin’s National Concert Hall he was previously CEO of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; Senior Producer classical music for BBC Northern Ireland and Head of Orchestras and Performing Groups at RTE (Ireland’s national broadcaster). He has performed and recorded widely as a guitarist, most recently concerts in Malaga.
For the BBC he produced radio documentaries on Andres Segovia and Spanish music and culture.
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