Aida Gomez - "Carmen" (Nicosia)

Carlos Saura's muse and soloist of the Ballet Nacional de Espana, Aida Gomez, and the Compania De Danza Espanola present, under the direction of Emilio Sagi, this amazing production of flamenco music and dance.

After a triumphant premier at the International Festival in Jerez, Spain, the musical, ‘Carmen', has been a huge success in Japan and Taiwan and continues to thrill audiences in Europe, Mexico and the US.

Carlos Saura's muse, Aida Gomez, plays the leading role in this amazing production. A dancer and choreographer, Aida Gomez has for many years, worked as the Artistic Director of Spain's National Ballet (Ballet Nacional de Espana).

The musical's Director, Emilio Sagi, is also the Artistic Director of Teatr Zarzuela and Teatro Teal of Madrid.

The most important objective of the production is to offer audiences a different interpretation of this already well-known story. Unique body language, movement, faces that mirror the soul, the music, choreography, costumes and special lighting effects, all combine in a very special way, to transport the viewers to a different era, keeping their interest alive and focused from the beginning to end.

The charismatic Aida Gomez interprets the role of Carmen perfectly, combining her flamenco dancing abilities with her knowledge of classical dance.

The story portrays a sensual and provocative woman in love. Filled with tension and passion, she is determined to do whatever it takes, "because", as Aida Gomez says, "there is no life without love".

Aida Gomez
Aida was born in Madrid, Spain, where she began her dance studies. She joined the National Ballet Company under the auspices of Antonio El Ballarin and performed many leading roles.

In 1989 she played Dona Ines in Miguel Narros, DonJuan, with choreography by Jose Antonio. The production was also presented in Moscow and St.Petersburg. Joaquim Cortes included her as featured artist on his 1996 European and US tour which visited the Royal Albert Hall in London and Radio City in New York among other top venues. She also collaborated with Maurice Bejart's company as a teacher and at the Rudra School.

In 1997 she inaugurated Madrid's Teatro Real with her production of Falla's El Samrero de Tres Picos, for which she was awarded the Max Scenic Art Prize for best female dancer. After forming her own company, the Spanish Ministry of Culture selected her as Artistic Director and she has become the youngest ever Director at the Spanish National Ballet. That year she performed her choreography of Vicente Amino's ‘Poela' and was invited to tour with the Andalusian Dance Company.

In 2000 she presented new works, among which ‘Carmen' by Jose Antonio. In 2001 she had mounted her own production company while rehearsing with her own troupe, for the debut of Salome directed by Carlos Soura. The project also gave rise to a film which won the Best Artistic Contribution prize of Montreal's International Film Festival. She is currently combining Master Classes at the Malaga and Cordoba conservatories with her company's tours and rehearsals for the premiere of her next work ‘Carmen' to be directed by Emilio Sagi.

Casting
Artistic Director: AIDA GOMEZ
Director: EMILIO SAGI
Choreographer: AIDA GOMEZ
Music Director: JOSE ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ
Composer: JOSE A.RODRIGUEZ - (Original music G. Bizet)
Bizet Orchestrate: MIGUEL ROO
Lighting Designer: NICOLAS FIELCHEL
Costumes: MIGUEL CRESPI
Assistants: MONTSE VINCEL, ROCIO MUNOS
Ballet Master: PABLO SAVOYE
Carmen: AIDA GOMEZ
Don Jose: JOSE HUERTAS
Escamillo: CHRISTIAN LOZANA
Lillas Pastia: EDUARDO CARANZA
Manuelita: MONTAE VINDEL
Zuniga: FERMIN CALVA DE MOA, MAXIMILLIANO REBMAN

Dancers: Maximilliano Rebman, Rocio Munoz, Juan Carlos Sanchez, Sasa Martin, Francisco Margado, Barbara Moreno, Daniel Vegas, Maria Alonzo, Carlos Rodriguez, Yolanda Britere, Emilio Sertano, Yolanda Murillo, David Martin, Maria Jimenez, Rocia Osuna, Lola Salvador.

The event is part of the Kypria International Festival 2009.