ARTS | Flamenco queen Maria Pagés performed at CCM

Leading a cast of seven dancers, Flamenco choreographer Maria Pagés performed at the Macau Cultural Center (CCM) last weekend.  “Utopia” is an innovative flamenco piece conceived and performed by Maria Pagés Company, CCM revealed in a statement. The choreographer’s intense performance was interpreted to the sound of flamenco and live Brazilian music, it added. “Exploring imagination and idealism as vehicles for change, Utopia summons the words of writers like Baudelaire or Benedetti, inspired by architect Oscar Niemeyer’s drawings and ideals,” CCM stated. The idea for this flamenco piece took shape in 2010, when the Spanish choreographer visited Niemeyer’s studio in Rio. She was impressed by the architect’s humanity and commitment to society. She subsequently conceived a dance performance inspired by his solidarity, conveyed through body movements, light and sound.