Translation

IMPORTANT STAR OF ISRAELI FLAMENCO
- Silvia Duran - RETURNS TO THE STAGE

By CHIQUITA LEVOV

The dancer and choreographer Silvia Duran came to Israel from South Africa,
as a Zionist, after having dedicated herself artistically to Flamenco in Spain.
She brought with her all her knowledge, being the first to introduce Flamenco
to this Biblical land.

And not "artificial" Flamenco, but the "real thing" that which demands extensive
knowledge of the Spanish Culture and great dedication.

However, some years ago she left the stage in order to dedicate herself fully to
teaching and choreography.

In her Studio - School were formed numerous Israeli Flamenco dancers who
now have international recognition and without doubt, were nourished by her
extensive knowledge:  Neta Sheyzaf, Michal Natan, Carmel Natan and many
others.

In the last five years, Silvia retired from the stage, but created an excellent
ensemble of dancers which is constantly presented on every possible occasion,
dancing together as a Group or as Soloists.  The dance performances created
by Silvia Duran for her Ensemble have become famous and the Group is
invited to perform in Festivals and Musical Events throughout the country,
attracting a great public.

EMILIO SAGI, brilliant Director of the Real Opera of Madrid was invited
and arrived from Spain at the beginning of this year to direct the dramatic side
of Bizet's "Carmen" with the New Israeli Opera and chose Silvia to create
the choreography of his extraordinary and original creation.  This contact
proved very fruitful as Sagi was most impressed by Duran's work convincing
her that she must return to dance onstage.

It must be noted that in the aforementioned production of the Opera, the
Spanish director was not content only with Duran's choreography, but also
created her a special role as a Fortune Teller.

Furthermore he invited her to perform in his theatre (Teatro Real - Madrid)
at the end of this year in a similar production of "Carmen".

Once in Spain, Silvia will journey to Andalucia to give Master Classes, invited
by one of the most important Schools.

Now, the Pioneer of Spanish Dance in Israel can be seen with eight of her
dancers presented in a performance which is all a "Fiesta" of colour and
sound created by this "Priestess" in various styles of Spanish dance and
Flamenco.  The programme includes four pieces where Silvia dances solo:
A Castanet Solo to the Hassidic music of "Reyzele" (interpreted by the
Israel Philharmonic with Yitzhak Perlman) - "Rapsodia Valenciana"
accompanied by Yehiel Hasson on the Classical guitar; "La Danza"
inspired by the music of Bizet; and finally a new version of the Flamenco
"Alegrias" accompanied by Sasson Levi.

The performance takes place June 29th at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in
Tel-Aviv.