Esteban Berlanga
Encyclopedia
Esteban Berlanga is a Spanish ballet dancer and Soloist with English National Ballet
(ENB).
, Spain. He initially wanted to become a flamenco dancer as he did not know what classical ballet was at the time. He started his training at Conservatorio Profesional de Musica y Danza de Albacete at the age of 9 under the instruction of Chon López. At the age of 16, he moved on to the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Madrid to continue his studies, before joining the corps de ballet
of Europa Danse in 2003.
after winning the 2006 Castilla-La Mancha competition, having been part of Europa Danse for two years prior to leaving in 2005. He was promoted by the company to First Artist in 2007 and to Soloist two years later.
During his tenure with the company, his repertoire has included main roles in Swan Lake (he debuted as Prince Siegfried in January 2008 while still an Artist of the Company), Ben Stevenson’s Three Preludes, David Dawson
’s A Million Kisses to my Skin, Les Sylphides
(The Poet), Manon (Des Grieux), Sleeping Beauty
(Prince Désiré) and Giselle
(Albrecht).
Berlanga has also created roles in Goyo Montero's El Día de la Creación and most recently, David Dawson
’s Faun(e).
Ballets Russes [Programme 2], ClassicalSource.com, 20 June 2009 : " This matinée performance saw several role debuts, including Esteban Berlanga’s ardent poet. The young artist is impressive already and is maturing into a dancer of the first order; Berlanga is one of the company’s great hopes, and already he commands the stage with a fine technique and noble presence."
English National Ballet
English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin and based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great...
(ENB).
Biography
Esteban was born in Montilleja, a village of 600 inhabitants near AlbaceteAlbacete
Albacete is a city and municipality in southeastern Spain, 258 km southeast of Madrid, the capital of the province of Albacete in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. The municipality had a population of c. 169,700 in 2009....
, Spain. He initially wanted to become a flamenco dancer as he did not know what classical ballet was at the time. He started his training at Conservatorio Profesional de Musica y Danza de Albacete at the age of 9 under the instruction of Chon López. At the age of 16, he moved on to the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Madrid to continue his studies, before joining the corps de ballet
Corps de ballet
In ballet, the corps de ballet is the group of dancers who are not soloists. They are a permanent part of the ballet company and often work as a backdrop for the principal dancers. A corps de ballet works as one, with synchronized movements and corresponding positioning on the stage...
of Europa Danse in 2003.
Career
Berlanga joined the English National BalletEnglish National Ballet
English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin and based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great...
after winning the 2006 Castilla-La Mancha competition, having been part of Europa Danse for two years prior to leaving in 2005. He was promoted by the company to First Artist in 2007 and to Soloist two years later.
During his tenure with the company, his repertoire has included main roles in Swan Lake (he debuted as Prince Siegfried in January 2008 while still an Artist of the Company), Ben Stevenson’s Three Preludes, David Dawson
David Dawson (choreographer)
British choreographer and dancer, David Dawson is one of the most respected names amongst the younger generation of choreographers working in the classical ballet idiom today.-Biography:...
’s A Million Kisses to my Skin, Les Sylphides
Les Sylphides
Les Sylphides is a short, non-narrative ballet blanc. Its original choreography was by Michel Fokine, with music by Frédéric Chopin orchestrated by Alexander Glazunov. Glazunov had already set some of the music in 1892 as a purely orchestral suite, under the title Chopiniana, Op. 46...
(The Poet), Manon (Des Grieux), Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault or Little Briar Rose by the Brothers Grimm is a classic fairytale involving a beautiful princess, enchantment, and a handsome prince...
(Prince Désiré) and Giselle
Giselle
Giselle is a ballet in two acts with a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier, music by Adolphe Adam, and choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. The librettist took his inspiration from a poem by Heinrich Heine...
(Albrecht).
Berlanga has also created roles in Goyo Montero's El Día de la Creación and most recently, David Dawson
David Dawson (choreographer)
British choreographer and dancer, David Dawson is one of the most respected names amongst the younger generation of choreographers working in the classical ballet idiom today.-Biography:...
’s Faun(e).
Awards
- First prize, Castilla-La Mancha dance competition (2006).
- Classical Male Spotlight award nominee at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards (2008).
- Emerging Dancer Award nominee (2009)
Reviews
Giselle/Men Y Men, The Stage, 29 October 2009 : " Yet with... ...Esteban Berlanga as Albrecht, nominated for this year’s ENB Emerging Dancer Award, it is also a production that is sprinkled with just a touch more magic dust. Both are sublime in their poise and grace."Ballets Russes [Programme 2], ClassicalSource.com, 20 June 2009 : " This matinée performance saw several role debuts, including Esteban Berlanga’s ardent poet. The young artist is impressive already and is maturing into a dancer of the first order; Berlanga is one of the company’s great hopes, and already he commands the stage with a fine technique and noble presence."