The tango is the dance of the people, born from the heart. In this exhilarating production Neel Verdoorn explores the world of the tango, inspired by the music of the legendary pianist, composer, arranger and orchestra director Osvaldo Pugliese.

The tango originated around 1880 in the tenements in Buenos Aires (Argentina) where the European emigrants arrived, and where the courtyards were filled with song, music and dance. It is drenched in emotion, passion, melancholy, longing and nostalgia. With the tango, you cannot escape from this narrative, or from the strong emotions it evokes. The music is universal, and touches you deep in your heart. Pugliese’s powerful rhythms keep your feet on the ground, while the heavenly melodies make you float on air. In his compositions and arrangements he creates uniquely individual structures and aural images that always have the element of dance at their foundation. This brings about a new reality, which creates space for other art forms and lends itself outstandingly to a different vision of movement.

For choreographer Neel Verdoorn, the challenge is to work with all the stylistic qualities that make the tango so unique. Two bodies that become one, with the centre of balance precisely between them. The fascinating spatial patterns, alternating with the intimate narration of the story of two people through the medium of dance and music.

She offers us an adventurous, inventive, playful mix of modern dance and Argentinian tango. It streams, flows and glides, with here and there a burst of energy, staccato turns or exertions of subdued breath, of the apparent effortlessness.

– de Volkskrant

It has to be said that I saw marvelous dancers showing their skill, especially in the solos. (…) Tango Orchestra Zárate have proven their worth at many venues, and yesterday they played Pugliese’s tangos with conviction, as though they had invented the entire music style.

– Tango Agenda Netherlands

Premiere 25 Februay 2013
Choreography Neel Verdoorn
Music Quinteto Zárate
Costumes Karisma-costumes
Light Pelle Herfst
Photography Robert Benschop

Mannen van de tango is a production of the Internationaal Danstheater.