More than a quarter of a century ago, Spain's greatest dancer and choreographer, Antonio Gades created a fusion of ballet and flamenco that elevated Spanish dance to a status similar to that of classical ballet. Gades developed the work in collaboration with the brilliant filmmaker, Carlos Saura. When Fuego debuted in 1989 at the Teatro de Châtelet in Paris, the audience was so enthralled they would not stop applauding until one of the dance sequences was repeated.
Arising out of magical Andalusian folk myths and cinematic in scope, this classically elegant, dream-like ballet enacts the tale of a beautiful gypsy girl tormented by the ghost of her husband. Fuego means fire and the performance lives up to the flaming brightness, warmth and passion evoked by its name. This is ballet as never seen before.
After the premiere in France, the original 1989 production went on a tremendously successful tour of Italy, Germany and Switzerland, travelling onward to Japan and then to Brazil. Two and a half decades later, in 2014, Fuego was authentically revived by the Antonio Gades Foundation with some of the central figures from the original production, including lead dancer, Stella Arauzo as Artistic Director and the legendary Goyo Montero as Ballet Master. The design of sets and costuming remains true to the spirit of the celebrated original director, Gerardo Vera.
More alive than ever, the Fuego revival was enthusiastically received in Spain and again became a smash hit on world tour. And now this beautiful, fiery ballet comes to the Royal Opera House Muscat. The music is performed live with the Orchestra Fondazione Arena di Verona, under the baton of the brilliant young Spanish conductor, Jordi Bernàcer.
Fuego will be performed on one night only - Friday, September 7th at 7:00 pm.