Review - Ballet Hispanico

The company, Ballet Hispanico, presented us at UMass - Amherst, with a performance that was full of energy, originality, and creativity. The group which performed consisted of 13 dancers trained mainly in either ballet or modern. The show was reflective of this diversity, also reflecting the influences of jazz and Spanish dance.

The first ballet we saw was "Guajira", choreographed by Pedro Ruiz, who is also a dancer with Ballet Hispanico. This piece is an illustration of rural life in Cuba, of the people who work in the fields. The "guajira" are the women of the Cuban countryside. Beginning with "Trabajos", the scene opened with the lighting depicting the sunrise. This was a neat image, because the dancers raised their arms in a manner which created images of waking birds through the silhouettes. The first piece showed the peasants working in the fields. The music was a fusion of African and flamenco - the dancers mimicked this fusion in their movements. The next part, "Guajira", consisted of a lot of partnering. The mood was light-hearted representing the girls flirtations with the men they work with. The music sounded like a tango. Set to African toned music, "Lavanderas" showed us the washerwomen. The movements consisted of a lot of hip swaying, very reminiscent of African dance. Also, I liked how the choreography could even make the movements of washing clothes into dance. "Romanza" was a sensual pas de deux, depicting the love between two of the peasants. The ballet ended with "Guateque", a joyous and intense piece, representing the peasants celebrating the end of the work day. This ballet was my favorite of the evening. The music was wonderful; it made me want to dance. The dancing was excellent; it was an interesting fusion of ballet, Spanish, and African dance.

"Eyes of the Soul" was a tribute to the life of composer Joaquin Rodrigo. Blinded in childhood, he had to struggle throughout his life. Choreographed by Ramon Oller, the ballet was a representaion of the joys and conflicts off Rodrigo's life. The ballet began with a lyrical piece to "Concierto de Aranjuez, I. Allegro con spirito", a very Spanish toned piece. Then the story opened with a pas de deux between Rodrigo and his loving partner, who helps him find strength and courage, in "Concierto de Aranjuez, II. Adagio". This was an amazing pas de deux. The pair danced seamlessly together and in perfect unison. Next, we see Rodrigo begin to bring his music to life. In "Concierto de Estio, II. Sicilienne(Andantino)", the piece seemed sorrowful, longing, and anxious at different moments. The style was very modern. "Concierto en Modo Galante, II. Adagietto" was a modern piece, performed on mats, depicting the struggle and love of the couple. The last part, "Fantasia para un Gentilhombre, I. Villano", was a happier piece, with tinges of sadness remaining. The music was very reminiscent of the Renaissance style.

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