Nacho Duato leads the dance

What is necessary for a creator to be considered an all-time- great? In the case of Nacho Duato, one of our most internationally applauded choreographers, time has played out in his favour. From his time as artistic director of the Compañía Nacional de Danza (National Dance Company of Spain) and beyond, or collaborating with some of the best troupes in the world, he has shown that his concept of dance is universal without denying it is unequivocally Spanish.

Along with his talent, there is intellectual rigour, curiosity, and hard work. Leading his own company, this artist has created shows that defy the passing of time and position themselves regardless of fashion or trends. Nacho Duato returns to the Teatro de la Maestranza after a long absence with three choreographies which represent three examples of a consummate art. Na Floresta combines the music of Villa-Lobos and Wagner Tiso to recreate the atmosphere of the Amazon rainforest and explores our connection with nature.

Duende reveals the admiration Duato feels for the music of Claude Debussy in a piece where the body takes on a sculptural dimension. With the music of Karl Jenkins, the more recent work, Cantus, unfolds all the horror of war to the audience, as reflected in the gaze of two young people. Three moments of modern dance which implicitly communicate the continuing innovation of a creator who is both indispensable and unmistakable.
 

Na Floresta
Premiere on 15 February 1990 by the Netherlands Dans Theater 2 at the AT&T Danstheater of The Hague

Duende
Premiere on 21 November 1991 by the Nederlands Dans Theater at the AT&T Danstheater of The Hague

Cantus
Premiere in November 2024 in Logroño, Spain