Flamenco veteran Maria Juncal returns to Tel Aviv stage

Maria Juncal will perform in Tel Aviv on November 4, marking her return to the city's stage despite the ongoing regional tensions. The show, titled A Different Perspective, is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Arison Hall, located at 7 Saadia Gaon St.

Juncal belongs to the Borull family, a lineage of Spanish flamenco dancers and musicians that spans six generations. Her great-grandaunt, Julia Borrull, was a Spanish gypsy dancer recognized for her intense style. Julia was the daughter of guitarist Miguel Borrull Castelló, who lived from 1866 to 1926. In 1917, artist Julio Romero de Torres painted Julia mid-dance in a work called Alegrias, which is now housed in a museum in Córdoba.

The November 4 date occurs exactly 100 years after the death of Juncal's great-great-grandfather. She intends to offer a personal interpretation of the art form that remains pure to its roots while reflecting her individual approach. The production targets audiences interested in flamenco as well as wider Spanish and Latin music and dance traditions.

Juncal has maintained a presence in Israel for years. She performed in Tel Aviv last year during the war with Iran. The current show is produced by Silvia Baro Productions and the Suzanne Dellal Center. Because the center's primary venue is undergoing renovation, the performance has shifted to the Arison Center.

Since 2021, Juncal has resided in Mexico City, where she operates a tablao, a type of flamenco review venue. She continues to tour internationally. For this Tel Aviv show, she will join four local musicians on stage. The lineup includes guitarist Piti de Triana, singers Yael Horwitz and Miriam Levy, and percussionist Itay Asterchan.

Juncal told The Jerusalem Post that the recent years have required maintaining enthusiasm and strength. She described returning to Israel as a personal and artistic joy. She noted that the conflict in Israel is often viewed in Spain through noise and a lack of firsthand experience, leading to reactions that feel performative rather than considered.

The production involves several local artists, including Alejandro Ponce for costumes, Nico Kremenchusky and Ika and Ana Iturbide for photography, Tal Gershon for design, Dudi Bali for sound, and Alexi Merchasin for lighting. Juncal described the collaboration as enriching, stating that each piece will take on its own life on stage through the combined effort of the performers. Tickets are available at suzannedellal.org.il/en/ and sdc.smarticket.co.il.