Look forward to a fiery performance as the masters of the passionate flamenco are on their way. Carmen Mota’s Fuego! will visit Seoul as part of their Asian tour June 17-22.

The performance will be the first to be staged here in three years, offering an upgraded version of the lust, spirit and passion of the gypsy dance.

The Korea Times had an email interview with Carmen Mota, the director and leader of the dance troupe which bears her name, the Carmen Mota Dance Company.

“I remember a very warm welcoming from the Korean audience. I think they really enjoyed it and that is what led us here again,” she said.

The 75-year-old Mota started dancing professionally when she was 16, but she knew that dancing was going to be her destiny ever since she was a child.

“Since I was a little girl, around three years old, I felt the need of dancing. Every time I heard music I started to dance (and) my mother had to come and take me out from the circle of people. Flamenco was the kind of dance that inspired me the most,” said Mota.

The performance Fuego! is divided into two sections: a “fusion flamenco” performance and an original one.

There will be no glamorous costumes in sight as the first section has been modernized incorporating felt hats and black suits. But the trademark movements, including the quick snaps of the wrists and sharp footwork, will still be there. The second section will present the traditional flamenco, complete with stunning costumes and fiery music.

“The first part is developed from a flamenco background but with a personal interpretation of the concept of a `show.’ The second part is more faithful to the roots of flamenco,” Mota explained.

The troupe’s own band will play the music, accompanied by trademark instruments including guitars, a percussion box, castanets and singers.

Mota also mentioned one of the most highlighted scenes, which was her personal favorite.

“There (will be) a love story on the stage, performed by a female dancer and male singer. As he sings for her, she will be dancing along (with) his music. It is a quiet but intense moment of the show probably because they really are in love off stage as well,” she explained.

Fuego! will indeed offer a spectacular event, with Wayne Fowkes, who also directed “Notre Dame de Paris” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” as the art director. The stage will be simple in order to bring out the glamorous dances and costumes, while the lighting will add intensity to the overall performance.

Another interesting member of the artistic team is the choreographer, Joaquin Marcello. Marcello is Mota’s son, who himself is a dancer and choreographer. His deafness, however, surprised the world when he debuted as a dancer at the age of 21. Marcello explained that he could feel the rhythm through the floor.

Mota said that her son helped her create a new type of flamenco performance. Mota put her 50 years of experience into Fuego, Marcello offered his fresh ideas on dance and music.

“My plans are to continue with my work since for me it is not a career, but a way of living. I cannot (consider) my life without being involved in flamenco,” she said.

Carmen Mota’s Fuego! will be on stage June 17-22 at LG Arts Center. Tickets cost from 55,000 won to 120,000 won. Call (02) 517-0394.