Without Words. Duende. White Darkness (Mikhailovsky Theatre, ballet)

World première: Nederlands Dans Theater at the AT&T Danstheater, The Hague, 21 November 1991 
Russian première: Mikhailovsky Theatre, 15 March 2011

Duato’s ‘ideas’ for choreography are almost always preceded by his choice of music, which characterises his working method. Maybe this applies to Duende in particular, because the music was the only source of inspiration for this ballet. Long ago, Duato fell in love with Debussy, especially with the way the composer makes nature sound in music. When he listens to this music, Duato visualises shapes, not people, relationships or events. This is why he considers Duende as an almost sculptural work: a body, a movement, that goes with the tune.

‘Duende’ literally means elf or fairy, like the ones who tidy upchildren’s toys at night, but it can also mean rascal, a naughty child. One can also possess ‘duende’, when radiating energy and great charm, almost having a magical attraction. In Andalusia flamenco is said ‘to have duende’, which can hardly be translated into another language. Flamenco has a touch of spell, one might say, like the way black music has ‘soul’.

World première: 2001, Madrid
Premiere of the production at the Mikhailovsky Theatre: 2 May 2014