Ballet Hispánico New York | January 20, 2027

This Carmen has a spare, elegant, Modernist look.
Brian Seibert , The New York Times

Run time: 80 minutes. One intermission

CARMEN.maquia

Bizet’s Carmen has haunted the artistic imagination for 150 years — romanticized, exoticized, and endlessly reinterpreted. Now, in celebration of that anniversary, Ballet Hispánico New York — the nation’s leading Latino dance company and recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures — reclaims her. Stirring, witty, and spectacular, CARMEN.maquia is the work of Valencian choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, whose Picasso-inspired vision strips away myth to reveal a fuller, more complex woman — intelligent and defiant. Inspired by tauromaquia — the art of bullfighting — CARMEN.maquia breathes contemporary life into this legendary character, fusing it with the grounded sensuality of the paso doble and flamenco. The result is a Carmen who belongs not to the gaze of others, but entirely to herself.

Sponsored by: Lisa & Shawn K. Mangum

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January 20

7:30 PM | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

CARMEN.maquia

New York Premiere November 22, 2014 at The Apollo Theater

Choreography by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano

Music from Various Works by Georges Bizet, performed by the Slovak Philharmonic, Praha Philharmonic, New Zealand Symphony, and National Symphony Orchestras, and by the Arte Ensemble. Carmen Fantasy, by Pablo de Sarasate, performed by the Apollo Symphony Orchestra

Set Design and Construction by Luis Crespo

Costume Design by David Delfín

Costume Construction by Travis Halsey, Diana Ruettiger

Lighting Design by Joshua Preston

A Picasso-inspired, contemporary take on Bizet’s beloved classic. The physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and flamenco.

Photos by Marius Fiskum/Northern Lights Festival

Ballet Hispanico New York's dancers are renowned for their virtuosity not only in contemporary ballet, but also in Latin dance forms like salsa, flamenco, tango, and more. This stylistic fluidity is in full display in CARMEN.maquia. Choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano represents the famous Opera with full-bodied, balletic dance movements, punctuated by expressive gestures that communicate the story. The striking scenography of CARMEN.maquia includes large, accordion-like paper structures, which expand to mimic walls, tables, and balconies, as well as painted backdrops that evoke the style of the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. The striking black and white, form-fitting costumes contribute to the modern feeling of the dance, in contrast to the classical orchestration of the famous musical score by the French composer Georges Bizet. Fans of contemporary ballet will appreciate Ballet Hispanico's extremely impressive kicks, jumps, and partnering, and fans of the story will enjoy the company's passionate, character-driven approach to Carmen.

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Early Bird Sales Close: November 20, 2026

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Ballet Hispánico New York is the nation’s leading Hispanic/Latine dance company and the largest cultural institution of its kind in the United States. For over five decades, it has been a beacon of artistic excellence, celebrated for its bold repertory and exceptional training programs. The Company has commissioned over 100 original works, performed on the world’s most prestigious stages, and inspired generations through performances, education, and community engagement. Recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation, Ballet Hispánico continues to redefine what it means to be an American dance company.

At the helm is Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, a former Ballet Hispánico dancer and acclaimed choreographer who assumed leadership in 2009. Under his dynamic guidance, the Company has entered a new era—broadening its artistic scope, deepening its repertory, and elevating its distinctive movement language. Vilaro carries forward the founding vision of Tina Ramirez, who launched Ballet Hispánico in 1970 to celebrate the beauty of Latino cultures through dance. The Company has garnered widespread acclaim, with The New York Times noting, “Many companies pay lip service to nurturing talent, but Ballet Hispánico has devoted significant resources and care to cultivating emerging artists.” Today, Ballet Hispánico stands not only as a cultural institution, but as a movement—pushing the boundaries of performance while honoring the traditions that shaped its legacy.

  • Passionate dramas and iconic characters

  • Dance companies like

    • Dance Theatre of Harlem

    • Alonzo King LINES Ballet

    • Complexions Contemporary Ballet

  • Latin dance styles

  • Modern opera adaptations

  • Films such as Carmen Jones or Black Swan

  • NW Dance Project

  • Femme fatale characters

 
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