Nothing else need be said than Morante de la Puebla’s performance in Jerez de la Frontera last week. Masterful with the capote. Classic with the banderillas. Pure with the muleta. The jabonero sucio from Nuñez de Cuvillo was a dream toro who allowed Morante to showcase elements of his Toreo which others wish they had. Eso es torear con duende!

Before the last corrida of the 2010 version of the Feria de Fallas in Valencia, photographer Mauricio Berho captured a shot for the ages of the All Star Corrida of Spanish and French Figuras. From left to right are Morante de la Puebla, David Fandila “El Fandi”, José Maria Manzanares, Sebastian Castella, Julian Lopéz “El Juli”, Cayetano Ordoñez and Enrique Ponce. the photo rivals those of yesteryear of Joselito, El Gallo and Juan Belmonte.

Mi amigo Jerry Roach posted some very interesting shots on Mundo-Taurino of Morante de la Puebla’s performance in Pamplona’s recently concluded Feria de San Fermin. I thought they were an excellent study of Morante and his Toreo, in particular his muñecazo. Gracias Jerry.

I couldn’t be in Madrid for this one obviously. I was however fortunate to view the corrida online live on Justin.tv on Friday 05/06/09. I never had the pleasure of seeing Luis Francisco Esplá perform in person, but I felt satisfied watching the dramatic afternoon of the maestro’s despedida from Madrid’s Plaza de Toros Las Ventas. Two of the toros from Victoriano del Río were fightable, with Esplá’s second animal and toro of his despedida being a noble toro who deservedly earned a vuelta. After Esplá’s placement of banderillas and initial stages of the faena, it was soon evident this was gonna be a special afternoon for Maestro Esplá. Soon after the first series, toro and torero were in sync. Esplá’s temple was the best of the month of corrida’s at Las Ventas. Esplá was enjoying the toro and topped his performance of with a dramatic and eventually effective estocada. Two ears were awarded to the matador “a la ley” and the crowd honored Esplá with two vueltas. Overall it was a great viewing experience and I’m sure a eurphric experience for those who were honored to be in attendance at Las Ventas.

De Rosa Jiménez Cano

Las-Ventas.com