The National Dance Company closes ‘Les Arts és Dansa’ with the award-winning ‘Carmen’ by Johan Inger

'Les Arts és Dansa'

• Óliver Díaz conducts the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana in one of the company's most successful and acclaimed productions in recent years
• Jon Vallejo, one of the country's biggest stars and principal dancer with the Semperoper in Dresden, will perform as Don José on June 29 and July 1

Valencia (June 29, 2023). The National Dance Company (CND), directed by Joaquín de Luz, closes the 'Les Arts és Dansa' cycle with the choreography of 'Carmen' by the Swede Johan Inger, which will be performed on June 29 and 30 and July 1 and 2 in the Main Hall, with the Orchestra of the Valencian Community (OCV) in the pit.

Two international awards attest to the show (Benois de la Danse in 2016 and Venice TV Award in 2018), with set design by Curt Allen Vilmer, additional music by Marc Álvarez, dramaturgy by Gregor Acuña, costumes by David Delfín and lighting by Tom Visser.

Johan Inger takes as his basis the famous adaptation made by the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin of the work by Georges Bizet for his wife and prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, to which is added the newly created score by Marc Alvarez.

Óliver Díaz returns to Les Arts to take over as musical director of this production, marking another foray by the OCV into ballet music. The Oviedo-born maestro, one of the most prominent conductors on the national circuit, has worked on several occasions with Les Arts' resident orchestra in zarzuela, symphonic repertoire, and dance.

Johan Inger's 'Carmen' eschews traditionalism and delves into the world of the Sevillian cigarette girl, focusing on gender violence through the innocent eyes of a child. The choreography aims to give form to violence, jealousy, frustration, and hatred. From this perspective, Inger creates a character who allows us to witness everything that happens through his innocent eyes, while simultaneously observing his own transformation.

“There is a certain mystery to this character; he could be any child, he could be Don José as a child, he could be the young Micaëla, or the unborn child of Carmen and José. He could even be us, with our primal goodness wounded by an experience with violence that, although brief, has negatively influenced our lives and our ability to relate to others forever,” explains the choreographer.

According to the creator: “My 'Carmen' is based on the original story by Prosper Mérimée, in which José is the true protagonist who, unable to bear the freedom of his beloved, begins a descent into hell, driven by the most primitive instincts of man: passion and revenge.”

Curt Allen has designed a very clear and clean set, defined by the simplicity and boldness of its forms, and by the visual honesty of the chosen materials: concrete, mirrors, and black corrugated metal sheeting. The aim is to create atmosphere through a reinterpretation of the original novel, avoiding any kind of traditional aesthetic.

Jon Vallejo, from Gipuzkoa and one of the great stars of international dance, will join the National Dance Company (CND) on its visit to Valencia. The principal dancer of the Semperoper Dresden will perform the role of Don José in the performances on June 29 and July 1.