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Maria Benitez Back in Santa Fe
Maria Benitez Back in Santa Fe: International
Spanish dance artist María Benítez will return to the stage in July,
after a two-season absence, to perform in a career retrospective that
honors Benítez' life as one of the world's most acclaimed Spanish
dancers. The production opens at the Lodge at Santa Fe, formerly the
Radisson Hotel, on Friday, July 21, and continues Wednesday through
Sunday nights through Sept. 3. MARÍA BENÍTEZ: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND
TOMORROW explores Benítez' life in dance. This innovative production
features Benítez performing with video backdrops of archival film and
photographs from her exceptional career.
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Photo courtesy Maria Benitez |
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Accompanying Benítez on
stage are selected dancers and musicians from her professional company,
María Benítez Teatro Flamenco, and accomplished youth dancers from her
Flamenco's Next Generation. Benítez, who recently was selected to
receive the King of Spain's La Cruz de Isabel la Católica Award, Spain's
highest artistic honor, stopped performing in 2004 to focus on the
development of her Institute for Spanish Arts. "Many people have asked
me if I will dance again," she says, "With this unique production, I
felt it was the perfect time to return to the stage.
"MARÍA BENÍTEZ: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW transports audiences over
three decades of dance: from Benítez' hometown of Taos to her early
professional dance career in Spain, to her return to the U.S. and Santa
Fe, where she established herself as the country's leading lady of
flamenco. Along the way, she has performed for an estimated 1.18 million
viewers to date. There have also been stops at the Metropolitan Opera
House, Dallas Opera, the Santa Fe Opera and other major U.S. concert
halls where Benítez has appeared solo, with her company and as a
choreographer.
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Photo courtesy Maria Benitez
Many of Benítez' signature
dances will be showcased, including "Fire Dance" from Manuel de Falla's
ballet, "El Amor Brujo," and other flamenco rhythms. Finally, the
production looks to the future of Spanish dance as part of a vibrant
continuum that Benítez has fostered through her personal career and the
students she teaches today.
This one-of-a-kind production casts modern video as a significant force
in folk expression. In a unique technological twist, Benítez and other
dancers interact with the projections. Musicians will accompany images
on screen and dancers on stage. Other times, new and progressive
choreography will challenge the video images. "The screen will also
allow some surprises," Benítez says.
MARÍA BENÍTEZ: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW opens at the Lodge at Santa
Fe, formerly the Radisson Hotel, 750 St. Francis Drive, on Friday, July
21. Performances begin at 8:30 p.m. and continue Wednesday through
Sunday nights through Sept. 3. Tickets to all performances depend on
seating and range from $20 to $50 for individuals and $20 to $45 for
groups. Tickets are on sale now at the Institute at 505-955-8562 and
888-435-2636. As of June 19, call the Box Office at the Lodge at Santa
Fe at 505-982-1237 or 800-982-91 |
