Northrop, University of Minnesota

Estampas Porteñas
Thur., January 31, 2008 - 7:30 p.m.
Northrop

Estampas Porteñas performs Buenos Aires’ hottest tango show, Tango Fire which combines the art of spicy jazz and the flirtatious flamenco, Argentina’s two century long-companions. With the combination of five dance couples, sensational costumes, the band Quatrotango, and singer Javier di Ciriaco, this company unifies into one dazzling and pulse racing performance.

Tango Fire is a 21^st century display of tango traditions, starting off with the history of different tango styles then moving on to a number of modern versions. Originating from the brothels and taverns of Buenos Aires, the tango quickly became the dance of love and fiery passion. Five skillful couples trace these roots starting with the red light district of Buenos Aires to the charm of the Roaring Twenties with cocktail skirts and tailored suits in a cabaret-style scene. Then the exciting musical arrangements and tantalizing dancers present a distinctly modern version of the tango with split, thigh-slashing skirts — an asset to their sensuality and speed.


About the Company
Estampas Porteñas was founded in Buenos Aires in 1996 by the distinguished Argentine ballerina and choreographer, Carolina Soler. In its first year, Estampas Porteñas toured China performing over 60 successful shows. In the same year, the company created and performed Musica en Buenos Aires commissioned by the government as a gift to the city. Estampas Porteñas has performed at festivals around the world, and toured Australia and New Zealand in both 2003 and 2005, including sold out performances at the Sydney Opera House. In August 2005 the show Tango Fire was presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and since then has toured South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, China, Korea, Malaysia, South Africa, and Australia. The company is very pleased to be returning to the United States for its 16 city cross-country tour.


Artistic Director and Choreographer- Carolina Soler
At the age of six in Lima, Peru, Carolina Soler commenced her studies in dance at the Lima Municipal Ballet. In 1972 she entered the Choreartium Association Ballet, where she performed as a soloist and principal ballerina before completing her studies with masters such as Alexander Plissetky, Annel Vourenjuvry, Victori Roma and Yele Krnic – recording successes as a soloist in Swan Lake, Raymonda, Coppelia and Interplay and as principal in Suite en Blanc, Paquita, Hansel & Gretel, Nocturnal, and Giselle. Awarded a scholarship in Buenos Aires she studied with Olga Ferri, Gloria Kasda, Rodolfo Fontán, Esther Knavaia, and undertook a partnering course with Ricardo Novich. In 1978 she joined the resident ballet of the Teatro Colon where she had the opportunity to perform all the major works of the classical repertoire, winning plaudits as a prima ballerina in Aurora’s Wedding, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Romeo & Juliet, Dvořák’s Serenade, and Emilia. She also danced for the Choreographic Workshop, working with Julio López and Rodolfo Olguin; performed with the Argentine Ballet and the Modern Jazz Ballet, touring nationally and internationally with the companies. Her interest in tango began when she performed Tango Dance with Raul Garello, resulting in the 1996 formation of Estampas Porteñas. Carolina has undertaken the role of choreographer, principal dancer and artistic director of the Company. For her wide ranging artistic endeavors Carolina was presented with the Adán Buenos Aires Award in 1995.

Performances at Northrop
January 31, 2008 is their first appearance at Northrop.

Live Music by Quatrotango
QUATROTANGO has worked professionally with tango since the beginning of 2001. Its repertoire includes traditional as well as modern tango. The arrangements and adaptations are by Gabriel Clenar. In September and October, 2002 QUATROTANGO undertook a European tour and in July and August 2003 the group toured Australia and New Zealand with Estampas Porteñas. Since 2002 the group regularly performs at some of Buenos Aires most prestigious milongas including Salon Canning, La Ideal, La Catedral, Cochabamba and La Calesita. In Argentina, the group also played at the Club del Vino, Nothorious-Gandhi, Radio Nacional, and in the VI Buenos Aires Tango Festival, organized by the Culture Secretary of the Buenos Aires city Government, Café-Café, and La Ideal as a part of a Remarkable Bars Promotion Program sponsored by the Secretary of Culture of Buenos Aires City Government. In March 2005 QUATROTANGO opened the VII Festival Buenos Aires Tango, in the Gran Milonga in front of a crowd of 20,000. They also presented their show in the Fernandez Blanco Museum, Piazzolla Tango, and the National Radio Station of Argentina. Since April 2005 the band has toured exclusively with Estampas Porteñas in Tango Fire. Singer—Javier Di Ciriaco Javier has participated in Tango & Folk Festivals all over Argentina; Cosquin Festival, Doma & Folklore Festival, National Festival of Tango “La Falda” and Peñas Festival (Villa Maria). He has worked in many of the prestigious theatres around Argentina including San Martin Theatre (Cordoba) and Alvear Theatre (Buenos Aires). He has appeared in plays; “Guapos de la Guardia Vieja” at the Teatro Astral in Buenos Aires, “Circle of Identity for the Theatre” at the San Martin Cultural Center in Buenos Aires with actress Virginia Lago and “Vola, Veni, Vola,” a musical produced by Argentine poet Horacio Ferrer. Javier has formed his own sextet Sexteto Milonguero and works with the Jorge Arduh Orchestra. He is a member of “Orquesta Tipica de Estilos Tangueros” (National Academy of Tango) in Buenos Aires. Javier joined Estampas Portenas in Tango Fire in early 2007.

Critic's Comments
“…A dance of indescribable beauty, the grace of ballet and the fire of flamenco.” ─ Mikhail Baryshnikov “Tango that is seriously good fun… dance with sensuous fluency… enormously enjoyable when dancers and musicians are as good as those with Estampas Porteñas.” ─ Sydney Morning Herald (May 20, 2005) “Dance and Music Sizzle in Fiery Argentine Sensuality.” ─ The Age, Melbourne “One of the truly outstanding tango shows in the world today…” ─ South China Morning Post, Hong Kong “So good it makes you shiver” ─ El Correo, Guatemala

Evening's Program
Part One - THE MILONGA Don Juan (Ponzio) Tango The Company Corralera (Aieta) Milonga Dancers: Yanina & Nelson, Andres & Celeste, Cristian & Betiana, Cristian & Jorgelina, Pablo & Mariela Mi Buenos Aires Querido, (Gardel- Le Pera) Tango Singer: Javier Di Ciriaco Milonga de mis amores (Laurenz) Milonga Dancers: Pablo & Mariela Boedo (Julio De Caro) Tango Dancers : Cristian & Betiana Grisel (Mariano Mores- J.M Contursi) Tango Singer: Javier Di Ciriaco 9 de Julio y Felicia (Padula – Saborido) Tango Dancers: Yanina & Nelson, Andres & Celeste, Cristian & Betiana, Cristian & Jorgelina, Pablo & Mariela El firulete (Mores) Milonga Dancers: Pablo, Cristian Nelson, Andres, & Cristian La Trampera (Troilo) Milonga Dancers Pablo, Cristian Nelson, Andres, & Cristian Canaro en París (Scarpino-Cardarella) Tango Dancers: Pablo & Mariela, Nelson & Yanina, Cristian & Betiana, Cristian & Jorgelina Milongueando en el 40 ( Pontier) Dancers: Andres & Celeste Mala Junta (Laurenz- De Caro) Tango Dancers: Cristian & Jorgelina Amurado (Laurenz) Tango Dancers: Nelson &Yanina Ventarrón (Staffolani- Mafia) Tango Singer: Javier Di Ciriaco La Cumparsita (Matos Rodríguez) Tango Dancers: Yanina & Nelson, Andres & Celeste, Cristian & Betiana, Cristian & Jorgelina, Pablo & Mariela Running Time: 40 Minutes INTERMISSION Part Two – THE SHOW Tanguera (Mores) Tango Dancers: Yanina & Nelson, Andres & Celeste, Cristian & Betiana, Cristian & Jorgelina, Pablo & Mariela Nocturna (Plaza) Milonga - Intrumental Quatrotango Corazón al Sur (Eladia Blázquez) Tango Singer: Javier Di Ciriaco Comme il Faut (Arolas) Tango Dancers: Cristian & Betiana Invierno Porteno (Piazzolla) Tango - Instrumental Quatrotango Derecho Viejo (Arolas) Tango Dancers: Yanina & Nelson, Andres & Celeste or Pablo & Mariela, Cristian & Betiana Gallo Ciego (Bardi) Tango Dancers: Cristian & Jorgelina Taquito Militar ( Mores) Instrumental Quatrotango Quejas de Bandoneón ( Filiberto ) Tango Dancers: Nelson & Yanina Uno (Mores- Discepolo) Tango Singer: Javier Di Ciriaco Zum (Piazzolla) Tango Dancers: Andres & Celeste Libertango (Piazzolla) Tango Dancers: Pablo & Mariela Adiós Nonino (Piazzolla) Tango - Instrumental Quatrotango Verano Porteño (Piazzolla) Tango Dancers: Yanina & Nelson, Andres & Celeste, Cristian & Betiana, Cristian & Jorgelina, Pablo & Mariela Running Time: 50 Minutes Artistic Director Carolina Soler Dancers Nelson Celis & Yanina Fajar - Choreography Assistants Pablo Sosa & Mariela Maldonado Cristian Mino & Jorgelina Guzzi Andres Sautel & Celeste Medina Cristian Gallardo & Betiana Botana Singer Javier Di Ciriaco Orchestra Gabriel Clenar- Piano/ Musical Director Hugo Satorre - Bandoneón Marcelo Rebuffi – Violín, Gerardo Scaglione –Double Bass Producers Andrew Kay & David Vigo HVK Productions Pty Ltd Associate Producer Toni Rudov Lighting Design Matthew Cawrse Program Design Gerard Rowan, Millmaine Entertainment Artists and program subject to change