Maria Juncal Brings Sixth-Generation Flamenco Lineage to Tel Aviv Stage

One hundred years have passed since the death of Miguel Borrull Castelló, the celebrated guitarist who started a dynasty of Spanish performers. His descendant, Maria Juncal, is bringing that legacy to Israel on November 4. The dancer, who represents the sixth generation of the Borull family, will perform a show titled 'A Different Perspective' at 8:30 p.m. at Arison Hall on 7 Saadia Gaon Street.

Juncal’s lineage traces back to her great-grandaunt, Julia Borrull, a Spanish gypsy dancer known for her intense and dramatic style. Julia, the daughter of Miguel, was painted by Julio Romero de Torres in 1917 when she was 21 years old. The resulting work, 'Alegrias', now resides in a museum in Córdoba, Spain. Juncal intends to present her own interpretation of the art form for fans of Spanish and Latin music, asserting that her approach remains pure flamenco while reflecting her personal perspective.

The artist has maintained a loyal following in Israel for years, even performing in Tel Aviv last year during the war with Iran. The current production is organized by Silvia Baro Productions and the Suzanne Dellal Center. The event is being held at the Arison Center rather than the Suzanne Dellal Center's usual venue because that location is currently undergoing renovation.

Since 2021, Juncal has resided in Mexico City, where she opened a tablao flamenco, a type of flamenco review. She continues to tour globally while based in the capital. For the Tel Aviv performance, she will be joined by four local musicians: Piti de Triana on guitar, singers Yael Horwitz and Miriam Levy, and percussionist Itay Asterchan.

In an interview, Juncal described the past few years as a period focused on maintaining enthusiasm and strength. She stated that returning to Israel is 'always a joy for me, both artistically and personally.' When asked about how the conflict is viewed in Spain, she noted that it is often clouded by noise and a lack of first-hand understanding. She observed that reactions are frequently performative, while those who seek common ground tend to speak with prudence.

The production involves a wider circle of Israeli artists, including Alejandro Ponce for costumes, Tal Gershon for design and digital media, and Dudi Bali for sound. Photography is handled by Nico Kremenchusky, Ika, and Ana Iturbide, with lighting provided by Alexi Merchasin. Juncal called the collaboration with these local artists enriching, noting that each piece will be shaped by the collective performance on stage.

Tickets for the November 4 event are available at suzannedellal.org.il/en/ and sdc.smarticket.co.il. Additional details regarding the show can be found on silviabarooffice.com.