Invocación brings the 20/21 season to a close at the Santander International Festival

Invocación opens with the bolero-style choreography Invocación bolera. This style is one of the most difficult disciplines in Spanish dance due to the speed of its steps and jumps, and the use of classical ballet steps alongside castanets or palillos. In this work, Rubén Olmo brings the essence of the traditional bolero school up to date, whilst also paying tribute to the great masters who set the standard for this style: Mariemma, Ángel Pericet and Antonio el Bailarín.

The music for Invocación bolera is an original contemporary composition commissioned by the Ballet Nacional de España from the young Sevillian composer and conductor Manuel Busto, who later also contributed to La Bella Otero. The composer conducted the recording with the Orquesta de Extremadura, which can be heard at the Palacio de Festivales in Santander. The costumes were designed by Pedro Moreno for the work Fandango del Padre Soler, premiered by the Ballet Nacional de España in 1988, and have been adapted by the designer himself for this production.

The same creative duo of Rubén Olmo and Manuel Busto are behind Jauleña, a solo piece that weaves together various dance styles, with a particular focus on zapateado and granaína. It will be performed by José Manuel Benítez at the Santander Conference Centre.

Eterna Iberia, by Antonio Najarro, rounds off the first part of the show. This stylised dance piece, premiered by the Ballet Nacional de España in 2019, brilliantly incorporates traditional elements of Spanish dance such as the cape and the Cordoba hat. The music was originally composed by Manuel Moreno Buendía for Antonio Ruiz Soler’s ballet Eterna Castilla, and later edited into a suite entitled Celtiberia. Yaiza Pinillos’s sophisticated costumes represent the richness of our land through the use of blue, green and maroon to symbolise three of our treasures: the sea, olive trees and wine.

Flamenco takes centre stage in the second part of the programme, Invocación, with the inclusion for the first time in the Spanish National Ballet’s repertoire of a choreography by Mario Maya, a leading figure in Spanish dance renowned for his genius and sensitivity. He passed away in 2008 and was a pioneer of flamenco theatre, the creator of daring and innovative productions, and one of the most tireless explorers of our time.

Rubén Olmo has selected De lo flamenco because, in his view, this production by Mario Maya, premiered by the Andalusian Dance Company in 1994, revitalised the way flamenco is performed and experienced on stage through its stylisation and movement, particularly with a large company of dancers. “Even now, it remains innovative and completely different from the rest,” says Rubén Olmo.

The production of De lo flamenco performed by the Ballet Nacional de España adds three pieces to the original work by Mario Maya, Milagros Menjíbar and A. Rueda, 'Toná': the choreography Los cinco toreros by Manolo Marín, and two new works created by two of Mario Maya’s regular collaborators: Romance del emplazado by Rafaela Carrasco, and Taranto by Isabel Bayón. Artists who were part of the original cast have also collaborated on this revival, from rehearsal director Manuel Betanzos to musician Diego Carrasco. The costumes are replicas of the originals designed by Mario Maya and have been hand-painted by Juan Andrés Amaya.

The flamenco ensemble of the Ballet Nacional de España, accompanied by three guest singers, will perform live in Santander the music composed by Diego Carrasco, Jesús Torres, Moraíto Chico and Los del Río.

Coinciding with the Spanish National Ballet’s performance at the Santander International Festival, a group of 20 children aged between 8 and 11 will take part in the educational workshop Bailando un tesoro, which will be held on the same day, the 7th, at the Botín Centre. Maribel Gallardo, rehearsal coach with the Spanish National Ballet, and Belén Moreno, head of the Educational Activities Department, will introduce the children to Spanish dance through its most characteristic elements, such as the shawl, handclapping, footwear and castanets. The programme also draws on interactive educational materials published by the Spanish National Ballet, including an illustrated book, two workbooks featuring augmented reality, and a video game.

With the performance in Santander, the Ballet Nacional de España brings the 20/21 season to a close, during which it has also presented two world premieres, Centenario Antonio Ruiz Soler and La Bella Otero, and continued with live broadcasts of rehearsals from its headquarters.

The first performance scheduled for the coming season will take place at the Murcia Auditorium on 7^th October. The Spanish National Ballet will present the programme Centenario Antonio Ruiz Soler, which revives some of the most notable choreographies by Antonio el Bailarín, such as Sonatas and Fantasía galaica, as well as new creations inspired by the flamenco style he performed and a nod to his appearances in Hollywood films.