Last night I finally checked off a Madrid summer must-do: my first open-air flamenco show in the stone courtyard of Conde Duque. The piece, “Hilo de Fuego”, turns the East-Asian story of the red string of fate into a wave of Andalusian fire. Deep-red spotlights cut through rising mist while bright red strings crossed the stage, wrapping the dancers’ red socks and black-and-red skirts in a sense of destiny.

Behind the movement came a rich, layered soundtrack. Light percussion and quick Spanish guitar laid a gentle carpet for the dance, then deep flamenco vocals sang with a sadness that reminded me of Japanese enka. Two full acts—almost two hours—passed in what felt like one breath, tradition and fresh ideas moving in perfect time.

The show is part of Madrid’s Veranos de la Villa festival and is staged by the Carlos Rodríguez Ballet Flamenco Company.