Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2010-2011 World of Dance series on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 8:00 p.m. with Argentine company Tango Buenos Aires performing Fuego Tango y Pasión (The Fire and Passion of Tango).
This journey through the history of modern tango features an ensemble of 25 musicians and dancers, performing to live music by Astor Piazzolla, Eduardo Arolas, Julian Plaza, and other masters.
Originally created by renowned composer and tango director Osvaldo Requena for the Jazmines festival at the famous Buenos Aires cabaret “Michelangelo,” the company met with tremendous success and was immediately added to the season of the General San Martin Municipal Theatre.
In 1986, the company traveled to the United States in order to represent Argentina at the Latin-American Festival, which took place at the Delacorte Theatre in New York City’s Central Park during the month of August. This event was followed by an extensive tour throughout the United States, along with trips to Mexico, Puerto Rico and El Salvador, followed by a return to the United States via Miami and San Francisco. They have since become one of Argentina’s great cultural exports, regularly touring the Americas, Europe and the Far East with their uncompromisingly authentic Tango performances.
Throughout its history, the company has enjoyed international acclaim under the leadership of several prominent musicians. In June 1999, the renowned pianist Cristian Zárate succeeded Requena as music director, and Pablo Mainetti, the world’s greatest bandoneon player, joined the orchestra.
In 2005 Julian Vat, Argentina’s most prolific composer and leading musician, assumed the title of music director. The company currently performs under the direction of Emilio Kauderer.
