The company launches a production choreographed by Antonio Canales in Tokyo

Flamenco-world.com, October 2003

The Spanish National Ballet (BNE) is celebrating its silver anniversary. And what better occasion to celebrate it than their biannual date with Japanese audiences. From September 23rd through October 26th 2003 the company, under the direction of Elvira Andrés, will be touring Japan for the ninth time, with a multiple offering which includes the world première in Tokyo of 'Taranto: Ni contigo ni sin ti' choreographed by Antonio Canales. There will also be flamenco productions by Antonio Gades, María Pagés and Manolete, among others.

	Antonio Canales (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The ninth Ballet Nacional de España (BNE) tour of the land of the rising sun serves a commemorative function. The company, founded in 1978 with Antonio Gades at the helm, celebrates its first quarter of a century with a program of performances running from September 23rd till October 26th 2003 in a dozen Japanese cities including the capital, Hamamatsu, Yamagata, Akita...

The BNE's offerings include a new production, 'Taranto: Ni contigo ni sin ti', with choreography by Antonio Canales. The piece will enjoy its world première at Tokyo's Orchard Hall on September 23rd. 'Not with you, not without you', the piece expresses "the sentimental conflicts that arise between a man and a woman, and how the strength of passion both unites and separates them," according to its author. Guitarist El Viejín also contributes to the piece, as the musical composer.

Aside from this taranto, the company takes a new repertoire to Japanese stages, with the exception of 'Bolero', by José Granero. There will be a show made up of various choreographies: 'Mujeres' by Elvira Andrés, 'Entreverao' by Manolete, and 'Ilusiones FM' by María Pagés. There will also be a second stop in Tokyo from 24th to 26th October, offering the public a chance to see both 'Danza y Tronío' by Mariemma, and 'Fuenteovejuna' by Antonio Gades.

Australasia and Asia

The forthcoming season will see another BNE tour of Asia and Australasia between February and March 2004, scheduled to take in cities such as Singapore, Wellington (New Zealand), Adelaide (Australia), and Shanghai (China). The company will have incorporated new flamenco creations into its repertoire by then, such as a production by bailaor Joaquín Grilo from Jerez, due to be launched on January 12th in Spain's northern coastal city of Santander.