Auditorium Theatre 2018-19 Issue 1 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

4 | BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MÉXICO | NOVEMBER 10-11, 2018 ABOUT AMALIA HERNÁNDEZ AND BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MÉXICO About Amalia Hernández and Ballet Folklórico de México In 1952, dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández founded the Ballet Folklórico de México, having embarked at a very early age on a never-ending quest to rescue the dance traditions of Mexico. This vital search was important not only for preserving these traditions in Mexico, but also for sharing them with the rest of the world. Hernández’s goal was to share the beauty of the universe in motion through Mexican dances from the pre-Colombian era, the Hispanic viceroy period, and the Revolutionary years. In 1954, Hernández began to garner recognition as a highly-respected cultural representative of Mexico. In her earliest ballets, the audience sees the present time fade before their eyes as they enter into a journey through the past: the lords of heaven and earth come back to life, the jaguars, the gods born of human flesh; and 30 different cultures that blossomed in centuries past leave behind a trail of color. All of these elements together were what gave Hernández the inspiration to create the Ballet Folklórico de México. The Ballet’s initial performances were aired on a weekly Mexican television program, sponsored by the government. Just a few years into the company’s existence, it achieved a degree of international success that has been maintained for over 65 years. Amalia Hernández and Ballet Folklórico de México created over 40 ballets for upwards of 70 dancers. The music, technical rigor, elaborate costuming, and Hernández’ choreography have helped the Ballet and its followers disseminate Mexican tradition and folklore throughout the world. Since 1959, the company has been permanently housed at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City. The institution has two main artistic companies, the First Company and the Resident Company, which alternate tours and performances in Mexico and abroad. The company has given over 5,000 performances, and both Amalia Hernández and the Ballet Folklórico de México have been distinguished with more than 300 awards recognizing their artistic merits.