In 1978, the Theatre and Entertainment General Direction of the Spanish Ministry of Culture formed the Spanish National Ballet, to which Antonio Gades was appointed Artistic Director. From that first moment, Gade's goal was to revive the most representative pieces of Spanish choreographers. In this way, he composed a repertory which includes: "Diez Danzas Vascas", "Fandango del Padre Soler" by Mariemma; "Fantasía Galaica" by Antonio; "Concierto de Aranjuez" by Pilar López; "Rango" by Rafael Aguilar and "Bodas de Sangre" by Gades himself.

In 1980, Antonio was appointed Artistic Director, incorporating his own choreographies into the repertory: "El Sombrero de Tres Picos", "Sonatas del Padre Soler" and "Estampas Flamencas", as well as "Retrato de Mujer" by Rafael Aguilar and "Don Quijote" by Luis P.Dávila "Luisillo".

In 1983, the Theatre and Entertainment General Direction joined the two permanent ballet companies, The Spanish National Ballet and The Spanish Classical Ballet, entrusting its direction to María de Avila who included new pieces, with original choreographies and music, in the repertory, "Ritmos" by Alberto Lorca, "Medea" with scenario by Miguel Narros, choreography by José Granero, "Los Tarantos" by Felipe Sánchez, "Danza y Tronio" by Mariemma or "Danza IX" by Victoria Eugenia.

In September 1986, María de Avila left the direction and the company again separated in two independent ballets. José Antonio, Star Dance and Choreographer, who had previously been Assistant Director, became the Artistic Director of the Spanish National Ballet, incorporating into the repertory José Granero´s choreography "Bolero" and created new pieces among which a new version "El Sombrero de Tres Picos" with Picasso´s original decor, "Solea" and "Don Juan".

In 1993 the National Institute for the Performing Scenic Arts, appointed on Artistic Direction team coordinated by Aurora Pons, Nana Lorca and Victoria Eugenia. This new team brought back the ballet "Allegro de Concierto" by Antonio, and added five absolutely new words: "La Gitanilla" by José Granero; "A mi aire" by Victoria Eugenia; "A ritmo y a compás" by Currillo and "Grito" by Antonio Canales.

In 1998, Aida Gómez, virtually all of whose performing career has been linked to the Ballet Nacional de España, has become the youngest Artistic Director in the history of the Company which this year celebrates the 20th. anniversary of its creation.

Over these 20 years the Ballet Nacional de España has taken part in different festivals such as the Spoleto festival, the Lyon Biennial Exhibition Festival and the Latin American Theatre Festival held in Bogota, and it has enchanted audiences in the best theatres across the world such as Mexico´s Teatro Bellas Artes, the New York Metropolitan Opera House, the London Coliseum and the Orchard Hall in Tokyo.

Among the awards won by the Ballet Nacional de España, worthy of special mention are the Critics Award for the Best Foreign Show performed over the 1988 season at the New York met, the 1991 Japanese Critics´Award and the Critics´Award for the Best Show performed over the 1994 season at the Teatro Bellas Artes in Mexico.

1998 - World Tour

• Artistic Direction: Aida Gómez.

• Guest Stars: Lola Greco.

• Principals: Maribel Gallardo, Oscar Jimenez and Francisco Velasco.

• Bailaor Collaborator: Currillo.

• Soloists: Adoración Carpio, Lupe Gómez, Montserrat Marín, Jesús Florencio and Paco Morell.

• Corps de Ballet: Lola Blanco, María Jesús Carbajosa, Rocío Espada, Carmen Esteban, María Jesús García, Kira Gimeno, Raquel Gómez, Cristina Jerez, Helena Martín, Reyes Orozco, Lola Pelta, Estrella Quintanar, Nieves Roche, Penelope Sánchez, Fuensanta Ros, Silvia de la Rosa, Pilar Sanz, Cristina Visus, Gala Vivancos, Manuel Balaguer, Jesús Córdoba, José García, Saulo Garrido, Alvaro L. Galiacho, Antonio Marín, Luis Molina, Antonio Najarro, José Porcel, Paco Segura, José Serrano, Eduardo Solis, José Tauste and David Torre.

• Assintant Artistic Director and Classical Dance Teacher: Raul Tino.

• Repetiteur: Juan Mata and Felipe Sánchez.

• Guitarits: Antonio Amaya, José María Bandera and José Carlos Gómez.

• Cantaores: Juan José Alcalá, Juan Cantero and Manuel Palacin.

• Pianists: Juan Alvarez and Juan José Sanchez.