Opera Screenings from the Royal Theater of Spain

Carmen (2011) by Antonio Gades and Carlos Saura
Antonio Gades Company

Antonio Gades, dancer and choreographer of the National Ballet of Spain, was awarded the National Dance Prize (1988) and is considered one of the greatest pioneers of flamenco. In collaboration with filmmaker Carlos Saura, known for acclaimed films such as Cría Cuervos, he created this production of Carmen, demonstrating how the power of traditional flamenco can perfectly embody the intense emotions of Mérimée’s work. The performance features dancers from the Antonio Gades Company, with Vanessa Vento—one of the principal dancers of the National Ballet of Spain—among the leading performers.

The Magic Love (2015)
Music by Manuel de Falla and choreography by Víctor Ullate
Ballet by Víctor Ullate

Manuel de Falla, a main representative of Spanish musical patriotism, is one of the most important composers of the early 20th century, and one of the most important Spanish composers of all time. In The Magic Love he delves into Gypsy mysticism, approaching love in its most primal and essential form. Víctor Ullate is one of the most recognized choreographers in the world of Spanish dance and has received many awards. In this production of The Magic Love, singer Estrella Morente also participates.

The Audience (2015)
Based on the work of Federico García Lorca
Mauricio Sotelo

The Audience is the most difficult and mysterious work of the world-famous Andalusian poet and playwright, Federico García Lorca. It was written in 1930, yet it was not performed for 56 years, as the author believed it did not represent the "teatro imposible," as he called it. It is a surreal work, later regarded as one of the most important pieces in the history of Spanish theater. The Audience is a cry of challenge against bourgeois hypocrisy and a call for erotic and artistic freedom. This production features flamenco artists, including guitarist Canizares, singer Arcángel, and dancer Rubén Olmo.

Fuenteovejuna (2011)
Based on the work of Lope de Vega
Antonio Gades Company

Fuenteovejuna is a play by the poet and playwright of the Spanish Golden Age, Lope de Vega, first published in 1617. It is a key work of Spanish literature, as its plot depicts how a village in Andalusia during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs revolts against a nobleman who abuses his power, becoming a symbol of the people's unity against oppression. Its adaptation to Spanish dance is the masterpiece of choreographer Antonio Gades and one of the greatest ballets of the 20th century