"La Nit de Sant Joan" at the Gran Teatre del Liceu

A choreography by Antonio Ruz that connects with our traditions.

The production La nit de Sant Joan (Soirées de Barcelone), the second ballet by composer Robert Gerhard (1896-1970), with set design by Joan Junyer and script by Ventura Gassol, remained unpublished in 1939 due to the events of the Civil War.

The work was created as a result of the early 20th-century dance frenzy, against the backdrop of the European image of an exotic and successful Spain that Manuel de Falla had conquered in this field. Inspired by the mythical night of the Sant Joan festival and the fire celebrations of the Catalan Pyrenees, a modern, folk-inspired music, with melodies from our folklore and frenetic rhythms, describes torch dances, a parade of magical figures, and the erotic movements of couples who, in intimate union, end up marrying at dawn.

Antonio Ruz, in a symbolic and creative way, wanted to infuse the choreography with elements that connect us to our traditions, such as the symbolism of fire, the sardana, the castells, or the figures of the bestiary.

Approximate duration
55min

Recommended
Ages 10 and up

This performance is part of the Dansa Metropolitana festival, which takes place from March 5 to 22 in 12 municipalities of the Metropolitan Area.