Antonio Gades Group in Istanbul with ‘Carmen’

The Spanish Antonio Gades Group will be on the Istanbul stage with the show "Carmen."

Antonio Gades became a legend all over the world with his works extending from the dance adaptation of Prosper Merimee's "Carmen" to the famous "Bloody Wedding" by Federico García Lorca. He keeps his legacy with a foundation he founded shortly before he died in 2004.

The Antonio Gades Group that has been working under the art directorship of Stella Arauzo, who danced with Gades for years, will meet the art lovers in Istanbul at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall on Feb. 20.

The Carmen show will turn into an enthusiastic and loving dance feast with the Antonio Gades Group from Spain.

In an interview, Antonio Gades Dance company director Eugenia Eiriz replied to questions.

Prosper Merimee's famous Carmen character now meets with Flamenco after the Carmen opera with the compositions of Bizet, so how do you comment on this new adaptation?

I think that passion feeling evoked by Flamenco, complies with the story and personality of "Carmen." The strong expression created by the dancing language of the company strengthens Carmen's nature as well. Misery and drama, which lie under the roots of Flamenco, match up very well with the end of this story. Carmen risk her life for her love and knows no limits. She challenges the life. This situation suits to challenging and rebelling aspects of Flamenco.

What would you say for the Carmen adaptation of Antonio Gades Company?

The company has been staging "Carmen" since it was first established and manages to captivate the audiences of all ages. Moreover, Carmen is one of the adaptations which help broaden the vision of the world and recognize Flamenco. It...