Antes del alba. José Ángel Capel

A dance and flamenco show by José Ángel Capel that explores singing as a tool for work and celebration in Spanish popular tradition, with collective work songs and alboradas (dawn songs) as its starting point.

The production, titled Antes del alba, is part of the Canal Baila cycle at Teatros del Canal. Capel, a dancer trained at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Málaga and at the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Mariemma in Madrid, presents a piece born out of research into singing linked to dance and flamenco, especially that of groups of men in the alboradas (dawn songs) and collective work songs.

The production combines movement and voice to show how these songs accompanied physical effort, set the rhythm of tasks and strengthened the bonds between those who shared hard labour, until they became celebrations, rituals and artistic expressions. Through body and voice, the work brings the past and the present into dialogue.

Capel later danced with the Ballet Español de Murcia and joined the company of Aída Gómez. The show includes smoke effects.