Universal Ballet

Duende

Universal Ballet Premiere Arko Arts Theater on June 30, 2005
Choreography Nacho Duato
Music Claude Debussy
Staging Kim McCarthy, Eva López-Crivellén
Set Design Walter Nobbe
Costume Design Susan Unger
Lighting Design Nicholas Fischte
Running Time 25 minutes

A playful look at the energy of elves, fairies and charismatic charm.

Duende was first performed in 1991 by Nederlands Dans Theater. Nacho Duato’s choreographic inspirations are almost always preceded by his choice in music. This seems particularly true of Duende. Long ago, Duato fell in love with Debussy and the way he expresses the sounds of nature in music. Whenever Duato listens to this music, he visualizes shapes, not people. That is why he considers Duende as an almost sculptural work: a body, a movement, that goes with the tune. Debussy, who worked during the late 19th and early 20th century, is often described as the herald of impressionism in the music world. While impressionist painters like Monet gave great importance to light in their works, Debussy emphasized the quality and effect of sound. The word 'Duende' means an elf or a fairy, like the ones who tidy up children’s toys at night. But it can also means a rascal, a naughty child. Also, it we say someone has duende, it means they radiate energy and great charm, almost like having a magical attraction. Duato found Debussy’s strange, beautiful and magical music just what he needed to express that which is duende.

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