at the sydney festival:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.smh.com.au:80/news/0011/03/text/features12.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.smh.com.au:80/news/0011/03/text/features12.html</A> <P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Born in Valencia, Duato trained with the Rambert School in London before working with Maurice Bèjart in Brussels, the Alvin Ailey company in New York, the Cullberg Ballet and then Netherlands Dans Theater where his mentor was Jirí Kylián. - - -<P>Duato became artistic director of Compania Nacional de Danza in Madrid in 1990, succeeding the legendary dancer, Maya Plisetskaya. While the company is a showcase for his own works, its repertoire also includes key pieces by Kylián, William Forsythe, Mats Ek, Hans Van Manen and Ohad Naharin. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The American premiere of Spanish superstar Nacho Duato's "Coming Together" was a huge success this past weekend. It was part of the mixed repertory of "A European Evening" performed by Tulsa Ballet. It was 17 minutes of non-stop movement. Tulsa Ballet has also staged his "Na Floresta" last season and was a favorite for many season subscribers. I believe "Coming Together" was equally well received. His pieces are very challenging for the dancers, as they are in constant movement and the partnering is very fast and unusual. Marcello Angelini, Tulsa Ballet's artistic director has been very successful in the last five years at TBT to advance the quality of the dancers and the repertory. I hope we get to see more of Nacho Duato's work in the Tulsa area, as his work is very amazing.

ap's mom, thanks a bunch (as we say in England) for the report on the Duato piece. It's also good to hear that Tulsa Ballet are advancing the quality of their performances.<P>I do hope you'll post more reports about the dance events in your area.