ABOUT

Maria del Mar Bonet is a celebrated Catalan singer and songwriter whose career has been dedicated to preserving and reimagining traditional folk music from the Balearic Islands and Catalonia. One of the great voices of the songs of the world. The Mediterranean has always been a point of reference in her songs and personal life, considering fountain of inspiration.

Nacho Duato, a distinguished Spanish choreographer, is renowned for his emotive, Mediterranean-inspired contemporary ballet. Drawing on themes from Spanish folklore and his own cultural roots, his choreography combines classical techniques with expressive, modern movements.

Rather than Spanish, the production is itself a mix of several cultures. Maria's music blends influences of multiple regions of the Mediterranean; Catalonia, Andalucia, Greece, North Africa, and Italy. Whilst Nacho Duato blends choreographic influences as broadly as from Spain, America, and the influence of his Czech tutor Jiri Kylian, meanwhile the work was created and presented by the Netherlands Dance Theatre. It is better described as Mediterranean, which stretches from Spain to Palestine, from Monaco to Morocco.

Maria del Mar Bonet and Nacho Duato collaborated on two dance productions in the 1980s. The first of these was Jardi Tancat in 1983 followed by Arenal in 1988. This video provides an introductory overview of their creators, the music of Maria del Mar Bonet, and the choreography of Nacho Duato, and their thoughts on the production. The video also features excerpts from the ballet Jardi Tancat. I do not own the copyright to the music or footage use, but as this is a channel of cultural education, I am permitted to use by the fair use policy.

The video also features a live performance of Maria del Mar Bonet performing "Alenar" accompanied by Paco Cepero and Lautaro Rosas, which featured on "Dos por dos" on TVE in 1978.