Nacho Duato
How have Nacho Duato’s background and training influenced his choreography of Jardi Tancat?
Nacho Duato was born in Valencia Spain on the 8th January in 1957. His dream was always to study ballet but due to the lack of prestigious dance institutes in Spain, at the ripe age of only 16 he travelled to London and auditioned for the Ballet Rambert School. At the college he was told that he was too old to start dancing at the expected level, and had no technique and or sufficient training. However after seeing something special and unique in Duato’s dancing, something that captivated the audience and the deep emotions he expressed, he was one of two boys selected to train at the school. In 1980 only three years later, he signed his first dance contract with the Cullberg Ballet in Stockland, where he commenced his dance career. A year later he transferred to Nederland’s Dan’s Theater in Holland, were he worked with many famous dancers and choreographers, as well as the artistic director Jiri Kiliάn. In 1983Duato created his first dance piece title Jardi Tancat, which resulted into his major success; inspired by both his Spanish culture and passion for music.
Jardi Tancat is based around a set of traditional Spanish folk songs composed by Maria del Mar Bonnet, about the traditional folk tale stories of Catalonia, which is a small region in northeastern Spain. The folk tales tell the stories of the love and struggles of couples and families who tried to survive by living of the land in times of war, drought and despair. The music expresses the mood and tone of these tales, which is deep and haunting. The music coupled with the symbolic movement are a perfect combination to portray the lives and emotions of the people of Catalonia. Within the dance, Duato portrays his Spanish identity through the music. It is believed that his passion for music is what intensifies his work, and creates the energy and foundations that are reflected in the performances. He is noted
Nacho Duato was born in Valencia Spain on the 8th January in 1957. His dream was always to study ballet but due to the lack of prestigious dance institutes in Spain, at the ripe age of only 16 he travelled to London and auditioned for the Ballet Rambert School. At the college he was told that he was too old to start dancing at the expected level, and had no technique and or sufficient training. However after seeing something special and unique in Duato’s dancing, something that captivated the audience and the deep emotions he expressed, he was one of two boys selected to train at the school. In 1980 only three years later, he signed his first dance contract with the Cullberg Ballet in Stockland, where he commenced his dance career. A year later he transferred to Nederland’s Dan’s Theater in Holland, were he worked with many famous dancers and choreographers, as well as the artistic director Jiri Kiliάn. In 1983Duato created his first dance piece title Jardi Tancat, which resulted into his major success; inspired by both his Spanish culture and passion for music.
Jardi Tancat is based around a set of traditional Spanish folk songs composed by Maria del Mar Bonnet, about the traditional folk tale stories of Catalonia, which is a small region in northeastern Spain. The folk tales tell the stories of the love and struggles of couples and families who tried to survive by living of the land in times of war, drought and despair. The music expresses the mood and tone of these tales, which is deep and haunting. The music coupled with the symbolic movement are a perfect combination to portray the lives and emotions of the people of Catalonia. Within the dance, Duato portrays his Spanish identity through the music. It is believed that his passion for music is what intensifies his work, and creates the energy and foundations that are reflected in the performances. He is noted