NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) continues its 2023-24 Main Stage season of dance on January 20, 2024, with Spain’s Compañia Nacional de Danza at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. “The show ends with me still at the edge of my seat,” states The Ballet Herald. NOBA’s curation of vibrant, culturally significant, captivating and awe-inspiring dance offerings represent the best and brightest of what the dance world has to offer today.
Compañia Nacional de Danza (CNdD), Spain’s premier, national dance company, returns after 22 years for a rare New Orleans engagement. Led by Artistic Director Joaquín De Luz, a world-renowned past principal dancer with New York City Ballet, CNdD wows the Crescent City with a North American premiere of mixed repertoire: White Darkness by CNdD’s former artistic director and choreographer Nacho Duato, a lush and virtuosic one-act ballet created as a requiem; the vivacious and satirical Sad Case by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, which embodies the fiery, syncopated rhythms of Mexican mambo; and Passengers Within, the latest creation by De Luz, set to music by Philip Glass.
Spain’s CNdD remains one of the most culturally significant dance companies in the world, performing on prestigious stages around the globe. It boasts a diverse cast of 52 technically superior, expressive dancers lead by Artistic Director Joaquín De Luz, a Spanish dancer and choreographer who has worked with American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Stanivslasky Theatre in Moscow, Ballet del Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, among others. The company’s repertoire embraces genres from classical to avant-garde styles, featuring flamenco and neoclassical, and reflects its own identity and history of excellence. “The entire cast is full of an energy that just radiates” (The Ballet Herald).
In addition to CNdD’s performance on Jan. 20, NOBA in collaboration with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Mayor LaToya Cantrell will host a reception with Spanish dignitaries and the CNdD artists on Jan. 19 in the first of three exclusive events titled The Triple Crown. This special benefit will be held at The Cabildo from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will launch the renowned dance company’s North American tour. The exclusive soirée honors the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between New Orleans and Spain. Guests will revel in the historic building’s enchanting ambiance as they savor a Spanish-inspired culinary experience, including delectable tapas, crafted cocktails, and Spanish wines. VIP patrons will also enjoy an intimate pre-party at 5:30 p.m. with dignitaries at the iconic Pontalba Building, hosted by Glen and Marilyn Smith.
Additional Triple Crown events include a Benefactor Dinner at The Windsor Court Hotel on February 20, 2024, and an exclusive, intimate presentation of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s LAC (Swan Lake) on March 1, 2024, in a rare, behind-the-curtain experience.
For more information or to purchase the Triple Crown event package, visit the event’s webpage here.
