The CARMEN.Maquia experience through the eyes of Ballet Hispánico New York

Through its exemplary artistry, the dance company Ballet Hispánico champions and amplifies the Latin American experience. 

Through the power of dance, artistry, culture and movement, the audience is encapsulated with the joy, celebration and reverence to be found in Latinidad. 

The bold, exquisite, sensual, reinterpretation of the 1875 opera "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac, bursts with Latin "sazon" from start to finish. Such a cultural re-imagination bring this story to life through the eyes of Ballet Hispánico. 

After the show, artistic director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro said Jan. 16 each performance of this show is different and even the urban landscape and NYC experience adds a touch of what makes it special. 

Femme fatale

Carmen, oh Carmen, where should we start when it comes to this feminine triple threat protagonist? Her character's personality puts a woman in the driver's seat when it comes to dominance, sultry flirtation and mischief. 

In the end, spoiler alert, her greatest strength did become her greatest weakness. I admittedly haven't recalled this storyline since the 2001 film interpretation with MTV (back when the station was peak culture icon and actually played music videos. Since then, the channel pivoted to reality TV fandom. As typing this, I'm unsure if it still broadcasts on TV. Ooops, off this tangent and back to Carmen). 

MTV's "Carmen: A Hip Hopera" a modern adaptation at the time of the intersection of hip-hop and opera, hence hip hopera. Back then when I first watched the film, it barely left an impression beyond the start of international entertainment icon Beyonce's on-screen film career. 

So the storyline was blurry upon my mind when watching this. It didn't matter because "CARMEN. Maquia" was fantastic and interpreting the plot was easy. The Picasso art was a *chef's kiss* to the artistic love letter this performance was. 

After the show, we got to hear from Vilaro during a Q&A session. I attended along with a friend and we decided the best way to end the night was Spanish tapas and wine. On the road, we saw some of the dancers walking and rolled down our windows to shout in praise of their artistry. The dancers were so hype! It was a true New York moment, when that kind of energy comes alive. 

I love when art gets you floating on a cloud. I'm currently chasing that same high and going to attend again solo. Brava!