Tango Metamorphosis: International American Ballet Performs at the Argentine Consulate

This past June, the International American Ballet presented Tango Metamorphosis, a performance blending traditional tango with contemporary ballet and live music. The event, held at the Consulate General of the Argentine Republic in New York, drew a capacity audience, with several attendees turned away at the door due to limited space. The performance functioned both as an artistic showcase and a cultural exchange, underscoring the Consulate’s continued support of Argentinian artists abroad.

Directed by Analía Farfan, the program featured a range of tango-inspired works that traced the genre’s evolution while preserving its historical essence. The evening included music by Astor Piazzolla, George Gershwin, and Michael Fennelly, among others. A notable closing work, You Are My Rhapsody in Blue, featured soprano Megan Weston and pianist Dr. Michael Fennelly, whose collaboration merged operatic vocals with jazz-influenced piano arrangements. The piece was accompanied by the striking digital art of Alessandra Mattanza, enhancing the performance with a vivid visual narrative, and featured Bret Coppa, who was Analia’s partner in You Are My Rhapsody in Blue.

The production balanced classical and modern aesthetics. Farfan’s choreography, supported by live instrumental performances, emphasized tango’s versatility within a broader contemporary dance framework. 

The event also highlighted the role of the Consulate General of Argentina, led by Ambassador Gerardo Díaz Bartolomé, in fostering international visibility for Argentinian culture. The Consulate continues to act as a bridge between artists and institutions in New York, providing platforms for artistic collaboration and performance.

The repertoire included works such as María de Buenos Aires, performed by singer Mariela Marcó, whose interpretation brought dramatic depth and vocal nuance to Piazzolla’s iconic score. Marcó also appeared in Balada Para un Loco, showcasing her range and ability to bridge traditional tango with operatic storytelling. Another highlight was Infidencias, a duet by Farfán and José Fluck, set to music by Pedro Giraudo. Several selections throughout the evening drew from Piazzolla’s canon, reaffirming his central influence on the evolution of modern tango.

Flamenco also played a notable role in the program. Elisabet Torras Aguilera, a dancer recognized for her precision and stage presence, performed two solo pieces: Tango Diablo and Oblivion, both choreographed by herself. Her interpretation integrated flamenco's rhythmic intensity with the expressive language of tango, adding a distinct texture to the evening’s otherwise tango-centered repertoire.

Farfan’s choreography stood out for its stylistic range, integrating elements of classical ballet, flamenco, and contemporary dance. Dancers including Misa Mochizuki, Teryn Trent, and Carlos Quintuña executed the material with clarity and precision, offering interpretations that emphasized both tango’s emotional intensity and technical rigor.

The program also featured vocal interludes. Weston performed both Don’t Cry for Me Argentina and Youkali, accompanied by Fennelly. These selections added contrast to the predominantly dance-centered program and were met with sustained applause.

The Consulate’s partnership with Farfan and the International American Ballet was central to the evening’s success. Its location, at 12 West 56th Street in Manhattan, provided a formal yet intimate setting that complemented the production’s scale. The event also served as a gathering point for members of the Argentinian and New York artistic communities.

Tango Metamorphosis reflected the continued vitality of Argentinian cultural production in New York. Its success underscored the strength of collaborative models between government institutions and independent artists, particularly in presenting heritage-based work through contemporary lenses.

The International American Ballet, under Farfan’s leadership, continues to position itself as a platform for cross-disciplinary innovation rooted in Argentinian identity. Tango Metamorphosis was a clear example of this mission—demonstrating that tango, in all its forms, remains a fertile ground for artistic exploration.