La Nit de Sant Joan

A choreography by Antonio Ruz that connects with our traditions

The production La nit de Sant Joan (Soirées de Barcelone), the second ballet of composer Robert Gerhard (1896-1970), with scenography by Joan Junyer and storyline by Ventura Gassol, would not be performed in 1939 due to the vicissitudes of the Spanish Civil War. 

The work was created because of the  madness for dance that erupted at the beginning of the 20th century, with the  backdrop of the European image of an exotic Spain and the great success that Manuel  de Falla had in this field. Inspired by the mythical night of the summer solstice – nit de  Sant Joan – and the celebrations with fire from the Catalan Pyrenees, the music is  modern, yet with a folk feeling, evoking melodies from our folklore, where the frenetic  beats describe torch dances, the parade of magical figures and the erotic movements  of couples who, in intimate union, end up marrying at dawn. 

Antonio Ruz wanted –  symbolically and creatively – to permeate the choreography with features that connect  us to our traditions, such as the symbolism of fire, the sardana dance, castells and  mythical bestiary.

Approximate running time
1h 10min

Recommended
From 10 years old

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