Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia: La noche de San Juan
Valencia, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia — Teatre Martin I Soler
About the Event
The inception of the ballet La noche de San Juan (Soirées de Barcelone), featuring music by Roberto Gerhard, took root in 1936 amid the influence of the Ballets Russes de Monte‐Carlo's visit to Spain. Originally unperformed due to the Spanish Civil War, the piece melds tradition with avant‐garde elements, unfolding during the Pyrenees' summer solstice festivities. Gerhard infused popular Catalan melodies, like “Noche de San Juan” and “Patum de Berga”, into a contemporary framework. Joan Junyer crafted the sets, drawing inspiration from Pyrenean landscapes, traditional architecture, and Romanesque art. Though Léonide Massine is thought to have choreographed the ballet, no documentary proof exists. This rendition revives the unpublished piano version Gerhard played privately and features a fresh choreography by Antonio Ruz, rooted in folk dances and avant‐garde ballet.
Cast / Production
Direction, choreography: Antonio Ruz
Music: Robert Gerhard
plot: Ventura Gassol
set designer: Joan Junyer
costume designer: Rosa García Andújar
lighting designer: Olga García
Historical Research: Mònica Tarré i Pedreira
Piano: Carlos Bujosa
Company: Antonio Ruz
artistic Director: Antonio Ruz
A co‐production from Fundación Juan March and Gran Teatre del Liceu
Address
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, Avenida del Professor López Piñero, 1, Valencia, Spain — Google Maps
