Martin Santangelo, director
A Soul-Stirring Tour-de-Force of Theater --The New York Times
Born of passion and desire, Noche Flamenca was founded in Madrid in 1993 by artistic director Martin Santangelo and his wife Soledad Barrio. Through years of persistence, hard work and love, Noche Flamenca has developed into one of Spain’s most successful flamenco companies. Since its beginning, Noche Flamenca’s goal has been to maintain the essence, purity and integrity of one of the world’s most complex and mysterious art forms without the use of tricks or gimmicks. The company relies on the high standards of its artists as well as their profound understanding of flamenco. All aspects of flamenco; dance, song and music, are interrelated and given equal weight in Noche Flamenca, creating a true communal spirit within the company, which is the very heart and soul of flamenco.
The company regularly performs to sell out crowds in New York, Boston, Cleveland, Montreal, Toronto and Washington. In the past few seasons they have debuted in Denver, Seattle, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Miami and Hawaii. As well, in the first part of 2002 the company toured Australia and New Zealand for six weeks performing to great acclaim in every major city. They will return to Australia in August of 2004. The company’s New York runs, whether at the Public Theater, the Connelly Theater, Joe’s Pub or the New Victory Theater are always a smash and in the Fall of 2003, they take up residence for five weeks at the newly restored Lucille Lortel Theater. As well as they have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, The Ravinia Festival, Wolf Trap Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and this summer made debuts at the Florida International Festival, An Appalachian Summer Festival and will perform with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. They also performed a two-week run at the Zellerbach Playhouse in Berkeley and performed their South American debut in Buenos Aires.
Some of Spain’s most renown artists have worked, and continue to work, with the company, such as; Soledad Barrio, Belen Maya, Alejandro Granados, Antonio Vizarraga, Rafael “Falo” Jimenez, and David Serva .
Noche Flamenca’s vitality, energy and passion have won accolades around the world, with raves and standing ovations in Egypt, United States, Canada, Portugal and Spain. Because the company’s core group of artists have devoted years to its goal, Noche Flamenca has continually delved deeper and deeper in its quest for a profound art.