Ballet proves talent through movements

By Danny Conard
Staff Writer

One could feel the eagerness in the air as the audience awaited the world-renowned dance-company Ballet Hispanico, and at the end of the show, no one was disappointed.

The word of the night was unconventional, and this was apparent from the rise of the curtain. Silhouetted against a screen, the dancers elegantly mimicked the dancing of a snake with their arms, which could be compared to the choreography of the late Bob Fossy.

The beautiful, yet simple, lighting enhanced the simplicity of the ballet. Lights on the front of the stage were particularly affective. In fact, I found myself lost in the ghostly dancing shadows that were produced from these lights against the back curtain.

Another strong point of the evening was the beautiful Latino music. Ballet Hispanico blended the worlds of classical and modern Latino music seamlessly.

While the music was largely Latino, distinct African influences could be heard, one of the most impressive musical pieces being "Lavanderas."

But while the music was exquisite, the dancing was, at some points, lack-luster. At times, the timing was off and the movement was jumbled.

While there were moments of disappointment, however, there were also moments of beauty. The "Conceirto en Modo Galante, II. Adagietto" was particularly beautiful because the sharp movements and pleasing dancing of Nicole Carea.

Throughout the performance, the dancers' training was apparent. Pointed toes, exact movements and the flow of the dance were all exhibited. But the ability to express the emotions of the scene was the most impressive aspect of the dancers. The audience could sense sadness, happiness, confusion and exultation through the movements.

Even with small flaws, the Ballet Hispanico lived up to its reputation as a top-notch performing group. I found myself tapping, humming and moving to the musical score, while watching the dancers with little distraction. Purdue students should take advantage of the Convos performances; there are few places that offer world-class talent with such little cost.

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