Ballet Nacional de España reviews the choreographic history of flamenco and Spanish dance at the close of its thirtieth anniversary

‘Bodas de sangre’, ‘Ritmos’ and ‘Medea’ shape up the program, on the bill from September 10th to 27th at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid

S.C./Flamenco-world.com. Madrid, September 9th, 2009

‘Bodas de sangre’ by Antonio Gades, ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ by Pilar López, ‘Medea’ by José Granero and ‘Fantasía Galaica’ by Antonio are just a few of the pieces recovered by the Ballet Nacional de España (Spanish National Ballet) to close the celebration of the first 30 years of its history. With this special compilation program, the state company makes a stop at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid from September 10th to 27th, 2009. The ballet troupe is completed with the collaboration of guest stars such as Merche Esmeralda and Lola Greco.

Ballet Nacional de España, 30th Anniversary
(Photo Daniel Muñoz)

It is a double commemorative program. Both have ‘Bodas de sangre’ by Antonio Gades (just as he staged it for the Compañía Andaluza de Danza) as the first part; what varies is the second. From September 10th to 20th, after the intermission the company will perform the pieces ‘Ritmos’, ‘Cuentos del Guadalquivir’, ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’, ‘El sombrero de tres picos’, ‘Martinete’, ‘Alborada del gracioso’, ‘Medea’ and ‘Fantasía Galaica’. And from September 22nd to 27th, that second block will be changed to ‘Ritmos’, ‘Suite Caprichos’, ‘La oración del torero’, ‘Soleá’, ‘Romance de luna’ and ‘Suite La Leyenda’. The BNE’s director, José Antonio, affirms that “it’s been hard to draft the program and summarize the choreographic collaborations coherently”. Which is joined by the complexity of the live performance of the Community of Madrid Orchestra conducted by José de Eusebio.

Of course, as the director maintains, not all of the artists who have been members of the ballet are in this compilation show, but “there are people present who have been emblematic”. That is the case of Merche Esmeralda, who will perform ‘Medea’, and it is highlighted by the reunion and excitement of all the participants in this anniversary. And also that of Lola Greco who, “seriously moved”, comments that when José Antonio asked her what she wanted to dance, she had no doubt: ‘Martinete’. The lineup of guests is completed with Antonio Márquez, who will perform ‘La oración del torero’ by Victoria Eugenia; Ana María Bueno, who will be the ‘mother’ in ‘Bodas de sangre’; Maribel Gallardo, Primitivo Daza, Carlos Rodríguez and Fran Velasco. José Antonio himself will get back up on stage as an exception in order to answer to Merche in the role of ‘Jasón’.

Ballet Nacional de España, 30th Anniversary (Photo Daniel Muñoz)

Sizing up these thirty years, the BNE’s current director emphasizes that “the most important thing is that it’s a living institution which you can’t compare to when it was started; we’re in an extraordinary movement and there’s no limit, it’ll continue to renew as long as there are capable people in it”. He also pointed out that “the work which has been produced is important, the generation of extraordinary artists it has given and the collaborations in stage design, choreography, music...”. By the way, the wardrobe ones are going to be compiled imminently in a book with pictures of all the costume designs now tucked away by the company. There are no new productions in the BNE’s plans for the time being, but rather to go on tour with this year’s programs, among them, ‘El corazón de piedra verde’, ‘Elegía a Antonio’ and the retrospective of the Bolero School. “Next year there might be something new included, but for the time being, there’s enough material to enjoy this year and it has to be taken advantage of in this period of shortage”.