The Yuval Ron Ensemble

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Cost: $75 Premiere tickets; $60 Level A tickets; $47 Level B tickets

The Broad Stage comes alive with an evening of music and dance that connects the Gypsy and Sephardic Jewish traditions of Andalusia, Spain to the Arabic Middle East. Oscar-winning composer and oud master Yuval Ron invites singer Jesús Montoya to share the stage in a rare U.S. appearance. Montoya’s passionate voice conveys the intense world of the Roma Gypsies while Ron makes musical connections to his own Jewish and Arabic heritage. Adding physical beauty, Briseyda Zarate combines the precise foot work of flamenco with the undulating grace of Middle Eastern dancing. Meanwhile, Japanese-born José Tanaka showcases the rhythmic rasgueados of the Spanish guitar.

The Yuval Ron Ensemble endeavors to alleviate national, racial, religious and cultural divides by uniting the music and dance of opposing peoples of the Middle East into a unique mystical, spiritual and inspiring celebration. Singer Jesús Montoya was born into one of the oldest Gypsy families in Spain. He has performed alongside such legendary artists as Fernanda Romero and Isabel Vargas. Briseyda Zarate began dancing at age five. Since then, she has performed as a soloist and with her own company both locally and abroad. José Tanaka was born in Japan, yet raised by a family steeped in flamenco. He frequently tours throughout the U.S., Europe, and Japan.