When Cohen and Lorca "met" in Spain

The meeting in 1993

Omega"Originally" is the title of an album that combines the music of Leonard Cohen and the poetry of García Lorca, reimagined in the distinctive Spanish Flamenco style.

In 1993, the talented Spanish flamenco artist Enrique Morente had his first meeting with Leonard Cohen, who was then considered a musical "legend" of the world.

Following that meeting, Enrique Morente began working with the four-member group Lagartija Nick, together exploring ways to integrate Cohen's music with Lorca's poetry.

After two years immersed in Flamenco vocals, electric guitar sounds, applause, and pounding drums, Morente officially completed his album in 1996.OmegaButplaceHe clothed Leonard Cohen's music in Flamenco, as a way to remember and honor the connection between the two men.

AfterOmegaUpon its release, the album quickly created a sensation both domestically and internationally. Traditional flamenco artists seemed to vehemently oppose this bold album, while rock music listeners absolutely loved and embraced it.

"Omega"It's the most groundbreaking album ever produced in Spain," commented Javier Pouso, Director of Strategic Marketing and Business at Universal Music Spain. "It's an album that sparks discussion even before people have heard it. It's similar to how people always comment on albums."Don Quixoteeven though they haven't read it yet."

Leonard Cohen himself shared in late 1996: "I am deeply moved that my songs are being performed in the Flamenco style. No one has ever performed my songs this way before."

OMEGA, where Spaniards meet... each other

That's Granada, the historic city in southern Spain, where Enrique Morente and Leonard Cohen first met. Morente's recording studio is also located in this city.

ProjectOmegaIt initially stemmed from a simpler idea: Morente wanted to record some songs to pay tribute to the artist Leonard Cohen, and the first song he chose wasTake This WaltzBy chance,Take This WaltzThis song was composed by Leonard Cohen based on a poem by Lorca, a brilliant Spanish poet and painter who died in battle at the young age of 38.

The poet Lorca was also born in the city of Granada, with a unique Flamenco spirit clearly evident in his later artistic career. Many of Lorca's poems are inspired by Flamenco, and conversely, many of his works have become a source of inspiration for contemporary Flamenco artists today.

Leonard Cohen himself stated that he first read Lorca's poetry when he was 15 years old, and even named his daughter after the late poet.

During his time working in the recording studio in Granada, Morente discovered a common starting point among artists: poetry.A Poet in New YorkLorca's work perfectly matches Cohen's music, as well as the project.Omegawhich he himself had been nurturing.

"It was Leonard Cohen who introduced me to Lorca," Morente said in an interview.

A door opens for Spanish music.

Before there wasOmegaEnrique Morente remained one of the most renowned flamenco artists of his time. After its release...OmegaMany veteran Flamenco artists did not hesitate to call his album "trash." But in return,OmegaIt was immediately embraced by rock music lovers. From traditional flamenco stages with a capacity of one or two thousand spectators, Morente now performs in venues like these.concertRock music was popular on a large scale throughout Spain, Latin America, and even in the United States.

In 2016, a documentary of the same name was released to the public, recounting the entire process of the creation and success of the Flamenco-Rock album.OmegaThe film was later nominated for a Goya Award for Best Documentary.

"Omega"It's the story of how a recording that shook the world of music was created," producer Gervasio Iglesias shared about the film, "It was also a time when Spanish music opened new doors."

In 2010, four years after the filmOmegareleased and 14 years after the albumOmegaUpon its release, artist Enrique Morente passed away. And as Morente's wife once said of her husband's creation, "Omega"It's an album that, even 20 years from now, will still be contemporary and relevant."

On April 7th, 2022, during the official visit of the Spanish Ambassador to Central Vietnam, they will also present the film to Vietnamese audiences.Omega- a source of cultural pride for Spain.

The film screening will take place at 7:00 PM at Le Do Cinema (Da Nang City); the event is completely free and open to the public until all seats are filled.

Lam Oanh