Combine exquisite classical ballet with a dash of Latin energy and what do you get? For many ballet lovers, it's the Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, a 24-year-old ballet company led by New York-based ballerina Lolita San Miguel. Five years ago, the company drove its Taiwanese audiences crazy with their 13 packed showings of a ballet version of Phantom of the Opera. In this, their second visit, the company promises to bring more of the same with the latest addition to its repertoire, Latinissimo.
Who could be better suited to dancing a ballet called Latinissimo than Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico? The company, founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is comprised of members trained in classical ballet, modern dance and Jazz dance, as well as their favorite fare, salsa. It was named "one of Puerto Rico's best kept secrets" by The New York Times after its 1990 US debut.
So be ready for the 300 colorful costumes and 22 vigorous dancers flying and spinning to the music of Tito Puente and Astor Piazolla, as well as Latin pop sensations such as Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DA DA ARTS
"The show is basically a tribute to the Latin heritage -- the artists and the composers -- it's also a festival in celebration of Hispanic culture," San Miguel said in a telephone interview with the Taipei Times. According to her, Latinissimo has been touring throughout the US and Caribbean for three years, helping stoke a world-wide craze for Latin music.
"Part of our mission is to familiarize people with Hispanic culture wherever we tour," she said.
For San Miguel, Latinissimo, or "very Latin," means very high energy, very sensual, and very happy. "So you will leave the theater after an evening of fun," she said.
Born in New York, San Miguel began studying ballet at age seven and for the past 10 years has been a principal dancer at renowned ballet companies, including the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. In the 1970s she began teaching and directing ballet at universities in New York. Since 1978, when Ballet Concierto was founded, the company has gradually developed into a fully professional dance troupe. Their well-known repertoire, comprised of both classical works and those from Hispanic choreographers and composers, includes Carmen, The Nutcracker, Giselle and The Phantom of the Opera. Ballet Concierto was the gold medal-winner of the International Ballet Competition in 1990.
Apart from solid classical technique -- toe work, partnering and body placement -- the dancers express a feeling of exuberance that is part of the Latin heritage. The New York Times said that the company's performance is "imbued with classical elegance and simplicity as well as strong polished technique and an infectious joy in dancing."
Compared with the Russian Ballet, San Miguel said that Ballet Concierto "has the same technique but different personality -- which is usually interpreted as vitality and fun-loving." San Miguel uses the choreography, sets, lights and music of her productions like a chef might use ingredients. And she has certainly proven herself excellent at blending flavors. The troupe's next project, for example, will be Don Dracula, a vampire story incorporating Spanish gypsies.
Latinissimo is another example. There are two sections in the show which might be described as traditional Latin versus contemporary Latin. The first part of the traditional section is Doorway to El Yunque and is an ode to Puerto Rico's famous rainforest. The second part is a prize-winning choreography called The Doves -- a poignant and humorous duet. The third part, Two Worlds, presents a contrast between the musical styles of Antonio Vivaldi and Astor Piazzolla.
Apart from Latinissimo, ballet Concierto will also perform Phantom of the Opera to again treat its Taiwan fans. The troupe's version of Phantom has been heralded by critics as spectacular in both setting and choreography. Choreographed by Alberto Mendez, from Ballet Nacional de Cuba, the piece is filled with passion and drama to hold the audience's attention through this already well known story. "There will be seven set changes and a few explosion effects in the 90-minute show," San Miguel said.
Visiting Taiwan for the second time, San Miguel said she fondly remembers a wonderful audience in Taiwan and the fun experience of visiting various stores and night spots. "I remember in Kaohsiung our dancers were having a fun time at the discos right after we finished our shows," she said.
With such energetic dancers, it'll be no surprise if Latinissimo leaves audience members as breathless as Phantom did.
PERFORMANCE NOTES
What: Latinissimo and Phantom of the Opera by Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico
When and where:
Taipei National Theater: 7:30pm on Aug. 28 and Aug. 30th / 2:30pm and 7:30pm on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1
Kaohsiung Chihte Hall: 7:30pm on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13
Taichung Chungshan Hall: 7:30pm on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15
There are also performances in Hsinchu, Chiayi and Tainan from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7
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