Kyle Johnson

Dance Criticism

Arenal: Nacho Duato

! Arenal is a contemporary ballet choreographed by Nacho Duato with music by Maria del

Mar Bonet. The music and costumes are reminiscent of a Spanish style with movements

remaining in the style of contemporary ballet. The dance consists of seven sections that alternate

between a solo dance and small groups. In three sections of the piece a woman in a black dress

performs solo dances to a cappella music while in three other sections we see a pas de deux, a

pas de trois, and a pas de quatre. The final section then incorporates both groups as it alternates

between the soloist and the other dancers and then ends with all the dancers posing in unison.