Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca
Searching for Goya
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 8pm
Global View Series Sponsored by
Worah Family Foundation
Performance Sponsor
Hana Ayala in honor of Francisco Ayala
This performance will include a 15-minute intermission.
Martín Santangelo
Director and Choreographer
Presents
Searching for Goya
Featuring:
Soledad Barrio &
Pablo Fraile, Jesús Helmo, Paula Bolaños, Salva de María,
Jose Montaña, Manuel Gago, Emilio Florido, Salva Cortés
Stella GG, Alexa Ratini, Alishanee Chafe-Hearmon
Artistic Director
Martín Santangelo
Lighting Designer
Mark London
Production Manager
S. Benjamin Farrar
Stage Manager
Dion Thompson
Production Coordinator
Gabriela Garcia
Company Manager
Mitchell Dufanal
Producer
Sharon Levy
El Sueño de la Razón Produce Monstruos
(The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters)
Performed by The Company
Temeridad de Martincho en la Plaza de Zaragoza
(The Daring of Martincho in the Ring at Saragossa)
Performed by Manuel Gago
Lluvia de Toros
(Rain of Bulls)
Performed by The Company
La Tauromaquia
(Tauromaquia Plate 14)
Performed by Jesús Helmo
El Perro
(The Dog)
Performed by
Jesús Helmo, Salva de María, Emilio Florido
-Intermission-
Caballo Caído del Cielo
(The Horse That Fell From The Sky)
Performed by Paula Bolaños
Las Camas de la Muerte
(The Beds of Death)
Performed by Jose Montaña & Soledad Barrio
Matrimonio
(Matrimony)
Performed by Paula Bolaños & Jesús Helmo
La Puerta Luminosa
(Two People Looking Into a Luminous Room)
Performed by Soledad Barrio
All Choreography by Martín Santangelo, Soledad Barrio, and Company members
Music by Salva de María, Eugenio Iglesias, David ‘Chupete’ Rodriguez, Jose Montaña & Martín Santangelo
Vocal arrangements by Carmina Cortés, Manuel Gago, Emilio Florido, Salva Cortés
**This program is subject to change**
Noche Flamenca is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Howard Gilman Foundation, the Harkness Foundation for Dance, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, andthe New York State Council on the Arts
In light of recent political and global events, Santangelo and Barrio felt drawn to revisit the work of artist Francisco de Goya (1746-1828), whose graphics and paintings reveal the horrors of war, the monsters that live within us, the humiliation of the humble, and the value of the strength and sensibility of animals. The complexity of content and emotion motivated them to reimagine Goya’s works through flamenco. With the help of Goya expert and Metropolitan Museum Curator Mark McDonald, Santangelo and Barrio embarked on the creation of Searching For Goya. The production has been in development since early 2022—at The Joyce Theater, The 62’ Center at Williams College, Plays and Players Theatre, and other prestigious cultural institutions. It made its world premiere in November 2023 at the University of Washington’s Meany Center for the Performing Arts, where The Seattle Times called it “a dance performance you don’t want to miss.”
-Martín Santangelo
MARTÍN SANTANGELO (Artistic Director) founded Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca in 1993 with his wife, Soledad Barrio. Born in New York City, Santangelo studied dance and theatre at NYU, and jazz with ‘Luigi’ before moving to Madrid to study flamenco. His teachers included 'Ciro', Paco Romero, 'El Güito', and 'Manolete'. He has performed throughout Spain, Japan, and North and South America with María Benitez’s Teatro Flamenco, at Lincoln Center Festival of the Arts, and with Paco Romero’s Ballet Español. He has appeared in Julie Taymor’s "Juan Darien" at Lincoln Center, choreographed and performed in Eduardo Machado’s "Deep Song" directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, and a production of Romeo and Juliet at the Denver Theater Center. He has directed and choreographed "Bodas de Sangre", "The Lower Depths", "La Celestina", "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Antígona" amongst other international productions. Santangelo has collaborated with many artists including Lee Breuer, Luis Valdez, and Jerzy Grotowski.
SOLEDAD BARRIO (Choreographer & Principal Dancer) was born in Madrid, and founded Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca with her husband, Martín Santangelo. She has appeared as a soloist with Manuela Vargas, Blanca del Rey, 'Luisillo', 'El Gúito', 'Manolete', Cristobal Reyes, and 'El Toleo' and has worked with Ballet Español de Paco Romero, Festival Flamenco, and many other companies. She has performed throughout Europe, Japan, and North and South America with artists such as Alejandro Granados, 'El Torombo', Isabel Bayón, Jesus Torres, Miguel Perez, Belen Maya, Manolo Marín, Javier Barón, Merche Esmeralda, Rafael Campallo, and Belen Maya, among others. Barrio was a resident teaching artist at NYU Tisch School of the Arts for many years and a guest teacher at The Juilliard School of Dance. Barrio has won awards from over 15 countries, including two Bessie Awards, for Outstanding Creative Achievement and Outstanding Performer, a 2015 Dance Magazine Exceptional Artist Award, and the 2022 Vilcek Prize in Dance.
SALVA DE MARÍA (Guitarist) was born in Madrid. He is the son of Basilio de Cádiz and the singer/dancer María Fernandez and grandson of legendary singer Antonio “El Chaqueta”. He began his career accompanying singers Carmen Linares, José Merce, Vicente Soto, Chaquetón and others. He moved to Barcelona to work with Maite Martín, La Chana, Guinesa Ortega, and other mythic figures in flamenco. He went on to work with Carmen Cortés and Gerardo Nuñez in the Lorca’s Yerma. Since 2001 he has collaborated with guitarist Chicuelo, Miguel Poveda, "La Susi", Maite Martín Chano Lobato, Israel Galván, Isabel Bayón, Javier Latorre and "Duquende.”
MANUEL GAGO (Singer) was born in Cadiz to a family of flamenco singers; he began singing at the age of five. By fourteen, he was singing in flamenco festivals with such well-known singers as Juan Villar, Charo Lobato and Rancapino. Later, he began singing for dancers, including Joaquin Cortez, Sara Varas, Rafaela Carrasco, Belen Maya, El Güito, Manolete, Javier Baron and Cristobal Reyes. Manuel has traveled the world, singing in Europe, Asia, South America and the United States.
EMILIO FLORIDO (Singer) was born in Cádiz, Spain. He began singing at a young age and performed professionally all over Spain as a solo singer. He has accompanied such dancers as Adrian Galia, Domingo Ortega, Luis Ortega, Belen Maya, Yolanda Heredia, Miguel Angel Espino, among others. He has worked with the companies of Cristina Hoyos, El Ballet de Madrid, and La Raza. He has toured extensively in Japan, South America and Europe. He has been performing with Noche Flamenca for nearly 14 years.
PABLO FRAILE (Dancer) was born in Guadalajara, Spain. He began his training as a child at the Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Comandante Fortea, under the tutelage of Juan Manuel 'Juanma' Carillo and Javier Palacios. He was chosen by Antonio Canales to perform in his production of "La Casa de Bernarda Alba" by Garcia Lorca. Pablo has danced alongside Canales as a soloist in "Soledades", and "Piedra y Cielo"; performed alongside the renowned ballet dancer Faruk in "Carmen"; appeared as First Dancer in the company of Tito Losada; was chosen by Cecilia Gomez to interpret the role of 'Chaman' in the "Homage to Chavela Vargas"; appeared with the company of El Mistel in "Bailando La Vida" at the Suma Flamenca 2014; traveled to Japan with Javier La Torre to dance with the Shoji Kojima company in "La Celestina" (this production was also presented in the Festival of Jerez and the Bienal of Sevilla).
JESÚS HELMO (Dancer) was born in Cádiz and started dancing at just 5 years old. He has studied with numerous flamenco dancers, including Pilar and Juan Ogalla, Belén Maya, Alfonso Losa, and Pedro Córdoba. He was given the third “Premio Nacional de Baile por Alegrías de la Perla de Cádiz” in 2002, he was a finalist in “Flamenco Puro Turín de la Frontera” at the Jerez Festival in 2019, and has obtained a silver medal from “Aula de Flamencología de Cádiz”. He has also represented “Turismo Andaluz” in the San Sebastián Festival and the “VEO VEO 98” Awards in Morocco, Italy, France, and Portugal. He formed part of the “Artes de Costa Rica (FIA)” festival and the “Siete soles Siete Lunas" festival in 2015. He has worked in Eduardo Guerrero’s company, Manolo Carrasco, Javier Marín’s company, Naomi Piazza’s flamenco school, and in tablaos all throughout Spain. In 2021 he created two flamenco shows titled “Aquel Tablao” and “Artego.”
SALVA CORTÉS (Singer) began singing professionally when he was 17 years old. He is the great-grandson of the legendary singer Antonio "El Chaqueta". He has worked with Rafael Amargo, Carmen Cortés, and flamenco companies in Andalucía and in many tablaos in Madrid and Málaga.
JOSE MONTAÑA (Percussionist) was born in Madrid. He began playing the flamenco cajón at Amor de Dios, accompanying world-renowned flamenco dancers such as Nino de los Reyes, Juan de Juan, and Antonio Canales. He was influenced by one of the most recognized cajón players and flamenco percussionists, Israel Suárez, aka ”El Piraña,” and other flamenco percussionists such as Ramon Porrina and Sabu Porrina & Lucky Losada. As he continued to develop in the Vanguarde of Flamenco Art and Also in Hispanic Latín American Music, he went to Cuba to take Afro-Cuban lessons with Miguel "Anca" Diaz, Pepe Espinosa, Pedrito Martinez, Changuito, Tata Guines, Giovanni Hidalgo and a lot more. He stayed in Cuba for a while to learn Afro roots and traditions with teachers Yaroldi Abreu and Adonis Panter, former Quinto player of Yoruba Andabo and now director of Osain del Monte.
PAULA BOLAÑOS (Dancer) completed her professional studies in Spanish Dance at the EPDCYL in Valladolid, obtaining the extraordinary prize for Professional Dance Education. She continued her training in Madrid, specializing in flamenco dance pedagogy at the María de Ávila Conservatory of Dance. Some of her teachers include Rafaela Carrasco, Óscar Jiménez, Paula Comitre, Florencia Oz, Inmaculada Aranda and Adrián Santana. She was a dancer for the show "OléOlá" under the artistic direction of José Carlos Plaza and Cristina Hoyos. She has also worked in the show "Amores Flamencos" under the artistic direction of Carlos Rodríguez. Paula has participated as a solo dancer in the International Museum Day organized by the Provincial Council of Valladolid in and was in the final of the X Certamen Jóvenes Valores del Flamenco de Nerja, Málaga. She currently works in multiple tablaos throughout Spain and continues her studies in dance.
STELLA GG (Dancer) Stella Goldin García was born in Spain and moved to NYC 8 years ago. She has been blessed to have studied dance in NYC since then. Stella has performed at Lincoln Center out of doors and in Montreal with Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, The Jeanette Stoner & Dancers in NYC and David Thomas’ company “WRT”. Stella is thrilled and humbled to work with Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca.
ALEXA RATINI (Dancer) Originally from Plainfield, IL, Alexa trained since the age of 2 at Inspire School of Dance in Naperville, IL. She received her BFA in Dance along with a minor in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College in 2023. She has performed across the United States at various theaters including The Joyce Theater, The NYU Skirball, and The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago where she was a part of the Dance For Life event. Additionally, Alexa has worked with and performed repertoire by David Parsons, Pascal Rioult, and Paul Taylor as well as original works by Darshan Singh Bhuller, Hanna Brictson, Jennifer Freeman, Anthony Morigerato, Katie Langan, and Alberto Del Saz. Alexa joined the Young Dancer Division faculty at Ballet Academy East in 2021 where she remains a faculty member to this day.
ALISHANEE CHAFE-HEARMON (Dancer) Alishanee is a dancer and artist from New York City. She holds a BA from CUNY Hunter college with a self-designed degree in dance, theology, and psychology. Alishanee was introduced to dancing through her mother, Maya De Silva, who is a flamenco dancer, and Alishanee’s life-long teacher and inspiration. She has studied with Vertigo Dance Company, Pau Aran, Jiri Pokorny, Darrah Carr, Martha Tornay, Nina Goldman, Alberto Del Salz and at Ballet Hispanico. She has learned repertory by Kidd Pivot/Crystal Pite and Blenard Azizaj. She also has studied the Cuban Contemporary Technique and Cuban Folkloric at Danza Contemporanea De Cuba. She currently attends the Martha Graham School and performs with Soledad Barrio Noche Flamenca and Mark Bankin.
MARK LONDON (Lighting Designer) Mark is proud of his decades long collaboration with Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca. While working primarily in broadcast, Mark has always come back to theatrical lighting including his longstanding collaboration Noche as well as Zvi Gotheiner and Dancers and International companies such as, Stars of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet and The Chinese Opera of Taipei. Back in the wilds of lower Manhattan Mark has designed for Jeanette Stoner, Muna Tseng, Amos Pinhasi and ISO Dance as well as lighting music and theatre at the Joseph Pap Public theater, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).
S. BENJAMIN FARRAR (Production Manager) is a freelance designer of scenery, lighting, and projection for live performance. He has worked in many venues in NYC, including The Public Theater, The Joyce Theatre and The Lortel Theatre. He has designed throughout the U.S. and Canada in venues such as The Majestic Theatre in Boston, White Bird in Portland, The McCarter in Princeton, The Royal Conservatory in Toronto, and The Zellerbach Playhouse in Berkeley. He has also designed for venues in Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, England, Scotland, and Switzerland. Benjamin has worked as a guest designer at NYU Gallatin School in New York and Grinnell College in Iowa. He is a graduate of The University of Iowa and Vanderbilt University.
GABRIELA GARCIA (Production Coordinator) was born and raised in Madrid. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2017 and currently resides in New York City. Gabriela has worked with Noche Flamenca for years, theatre director Lee Bruer, writer Fernanado Arrabal, The Consulate General of Spain, among others. She is currently the production coordinator for Noche Flamenca.
MITCHELL DUFANAL (Administration/Operations) was born and raised in New York City and earned his Master of Science degree in Policy, Analysis, and Management at the Milano School of International Affairs, at The New School University in New York City. Mitchell has since worked as a grant and program consultant for non-profit organizations, including the La Casita Comunal de Sunset Park, and New York Child & Family Support Services where he currently sits on the board of directors. He has been with Noche Flamenca since 2013.
SHARON LEVY (Producer) is the president of Dovetail Productions formed in 1997 to develop and produce new work. She was producer with St Ann’s Warehouse, La MaMa, Mabou Mines and piece by piece, for Lee Breuer’s La Divina Caricatura; Shalom Shanghai for the Shanghai Arts Festival; Baba Brinkman’s The Rap Guide to Evolution; Mabou Mines DollHouse; Lee Breuer and Bob Telson’s The Gospel at Colonus; the jazz opera Lulu Noire and the Tribute to King Oliver. She was manager to trumpeter Jon Faddis, worked with the British Theatre of the Deaf and the Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta where throughout the 1980’s she produced more than 40 plays and musicals.
Mission Statement
The mission of Noche Flamenca is to create a diverse theatrical body of performance through song, music, and dance that expresses a rigorous, spell-binding aesthetic in the form of flamenco; one that exceeds the highest artistic expectations. The company strives to captivate its audiences through its live performances and to evoke in them the vivid and expansive sea of passion and emotion that is flamenco. Through its educational outreach and residency programs, the company seeks to educate and enlighten persons of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds regarding the authentic form of flamenco – a form born of ancestral cultural repression and racial expulsion.
Background
Under the direction and choreography of Martín Santangelo, the award-winning Noche Flamenca is recognized as one of the world’s premier touring companies. Formed in 1993 by Santangelo and his award-winning wife, Soledad Barrio, the company has toured throughout the globe, including regular seasons in New York City, and performances in North and South America, Europe, and Australia.
Hailed by critics everywhere for its transcendent and deeply emotional performances, Noche Flamenca is recognized as the most authentic flamenco touring company in the field today.
Santangelo has successfully brought to the stage the essence, purity, and integrity of one of the world's most complex and mysterious art forms. All aspects of flamenco – dance, song, and music – are interrelated and given equal weight, creating a true communal spirit within the company - the very heart and soul of flamenco.
Noche Flamenca has been recognized with awards from the National Dance Project, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the MAP Fund, and the Lucille Lortel Award for Special Theatrical Experience, among many others.
Special Thanks…
Noche Flamenca would like to thank its funders:
The National Endowment for the Arts, the Howard Gilman Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, and The Shubert Foundation. Noche Flamenca’s New York season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
The company also extends its special thanks to: Wendy vanden Heuvel, Etta Brandman, Mark McDonald, Aurora Santangelo, Gabriela and Stella (for their patience), Annatina Miescher, Mary Frank, Mark McDonald, The Fundación de Goya en Aragón, Anne Leonard, Lisa Dorin, Frances McDormand, Joel Coen, Eric Cocco, Sharon Levy, Lee Breuer, Martin Weschler, The Joyce Theater, Phil Esparza and Luis Valdez of El Teatro Campesino, Jackie Shue... and our many friends and individual donors.