Guest performance at the ‘Mercat de les Flors’ in Barcelona

The Hessische Staatsballett looks back on an inspiring and intense guest performance tour in Barcelona.

Three performances at the renowned Mercat de les Flors offered audiences an impressive journey through three very different choreographic signatures: Bouffées by Leila Ka, Midnight Raga by Marco Goecke, and I’m afraid to forget your smile by Imre & Marne van Opstal.

The dancers in these works were:

Bouffées: Sayaka Kado, Milica Mučibabić, Bridget Lee, Daniela Castro Hechavarría, Vanessa Shield
Midnight Raga: Ramon John, Marcos Novais, Yamil Ortiz, Alessio Pirrone
I’m afraid to forget your smile: Masayoshi Katori, Anthony Michael, Pucci, Ramon John, Sayaka Kado, Bridget Lee, Benjamin Wilson, Luke Watson, Vanessa Shield, Peng Chen

For this piece, the music was performed by the “Cor de Cambra del Palau de la Música Catalana”
Director: Xavier Puig / Music Director: Júlia Sesé / Soprano: Belen Barnaus, Anna Campmany, Natàlia Casasús, Míriam Garriga, Brenda Sara / Alto: Marta Cordomí, Assumpta Cumí, Maria Jurado, Mariona Llobera, Magda Pujol / Tenor: Aniol Botines, Josep Camós, Joan Mas, Carles Prat, Matthew Thomson / Baritone: Albert Cabero, Esteve Gascón, Daniel Morales, David Pastor, Germán de la Riva

Our ensemble was supported by Ballet Master Luc Jacobs and Stage Manager Uwe Fischer.

A part of this encounter also unfolded behind the scenes. For years, Mercat de les Flors has been a key hub for contemporary dance culture and international guest performances. For the dancers and everyone involved, the tour not only offered the opportunity to present the productions to new audiences, but also to experience how their work is perceived within a different cultural context. This exchange — both artistic and human — is one of those moments that shape a tour and resonate long after it has ended.

With Barcelona, another international tour stop of the Hessische Staatsballett comes to an end. We would like to thank the team of the Mercat de les Flors for their warm invitation, support, and hospitality — and, of course, the wonderful audiences of Barcelona.