The company is on tour from 16th February to 16th March 2004

Flamenco-world.com, February 2004

The Spanish National Ballet Company (BNE) will perform for the first time at venues in Singapore, Wellington (New Zealand) and at the acclaimed International Arts Festival in Adelaide (Australia), as part of a tour which will run from 16th February to 16th March 2004. On their journey to this corner of the globe, the company will take with them a double program with a distinct flamenco flavor, featuring choreography by among others Antonio Canales ('Taranto' and 'Grito'), Manolete ('Entreverao'), and José Granero and Manolo Sanlúcar ('Medea').

Elvira Andrés (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The BNE will present two different programs. The first, at the Singapore Esplanade Festival will feature the production 'Estampío', a revival of El Estampío's original zapateado, penned by Pacita Tomás and Joaquín Villa; 'Taranto' and 'Grito', by Antonio Canales and with music by El Viejín, José María Bandera and José Carlos Gómez; 'Mareas', by Teresa Grandson and Florencio Campos; and 'Mujeres', by the director of the BNE herself, Elvira Andrés. As part of the second program, to be performed at St. James Theatre in Wellington (New Zealand) and the Adelaide International Festival (Australia), they'll perform the productions 'Grito', 'Entreverao' (a farruca by Manolete), 'Mujeres', and 'Medea', a piece with choreography by José Granero and with music by guitarist Manolo Sanlúcar.

This is the first time the ballet company visits these countries, ordinarily off the beaten track for flamenco tours, and there is already great interest from the public. In fact, tickets are already sold out for the shows. The company will perform at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore on February 20th and 21st, in Wellington from 27th February to 2nd March, and finally, from 9th to 13th March at the Adelaide Arts Festival. This last event marks the incursion of Spanish dance and flamenco into one of the most prestigious biennial arts festivals on the international circuit, renowned since its inception in 1960 for its innovation and diversity.

(Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

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