Nextime ensemble5/4/2023 ![]() A dancer of unique elegance, grace and precision, Saucedo has been an essential part of Ensemble Español since 1999, and she dedicated this work, created in 2018, to the memory of her mentor, company founder Komaiko. It was followed by a neo-classical solo, “Horizonte (Horizontal),” set to music by the Spanish composer Ernesto Halffter and choreographed and performed by Monica Saucedo, an exquisitely beautiful dancer, costumed in a sleek red dress with a lacey black inset and her castanets at the ready. ![]() Reyes’ second act solo, a world premiere, was “Lo Que Los Ojos No Ven (What the Eyes Don’t See).” With its uncanny, seemingly motorized moves, its tempestuous force and its sheer test of endurance, it was equally brilliant.Įnsemble Español Company Dancers (Photo by Casey Mitchell)Ī shift in mood came with “Viva Galicia,” a swirling, high-spirited folkloric piece for a large ensemble decked out in authentic leafy-green costumes by Nana Lorca. Reyes’ steely, rapid-fire legwork and stomping feet were a sensational precision-tooled percussive showcase, with accompaniment by Moreno, as well as guitarists Paco Fonta and David Chiriboga and percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei. Next came the renowned guest artist Nino de los Reyes, a sensational dancer and choreographer, in his solo work, “Farruca.” The title evokes a Spanish Roma dance characterized by sudden shifts in mood and tempo. Elegant dancers, beautifully lit by Dustin Derry and accompanied by powerhouse flamenco singer Jose Moreno and a superb ensemble of musicians, captured the work’s allure and ferocity. The performances that followed demonstrated just how successful those efforts turned out to be, with choreographer Wendy Clinard’s sensual 2021 piece, “Tangos de Granada,” setting the tone. The program began with a brief video that captured the efforts made to keep Ensemble Español - led by Irma Suarez Ruiz and Jorge Perez - at the highest possible level throughout the pandemic. The company’s elaborate, grand-scale performance also marked the return of two of the Auditorium’s most vitally important programming traditions - both its “Made in Chicago” and “International” dance series. Also being heralded was the 45th anniversary season finale of this company that was founded and nourished by the late Dame Libby Komaiko and has long been in residence at Northeastern Illinois University.
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