Last night, it was as if we had been transported to the alleys of Buenos Aires watching street performers tango on the back streets. The performers were incredible dancers as one would expect and they really entertained us for the entire hour and a half (a 45-minute 1st half, a 20 minute interval, and another 45-minute 2nd half). There were scenes of humor thrown in for good measure like the waiter dancing with a broom and dustbin when ordered to clean up after the patrons left shop. There was a funny scene I like to call “The seduction/robbery of Nanny” which had us all laughing. A few scenes which I don’t think were meant as comedy but I found funny (or slightly odd…) were when they had some of the men dancing together as couples.
One scene in the 1st half almost had a “wardrobe malfunction”. The seductive scene with what seemed to be the lead dancers (one man in a suit, lady in a blood-red dress) ended with her strap coming off and thank God they reacted quickly to prevent a cultural faux-pas that could have easily made the international press! 🙂
I loved the part of the show after the first few dances when they lifted up one of the panels to reveal the 5 incredibly gifted musicians hidden behind. I was wondering if the music was recorded (like the SA Ballet) or if they had live musicians. That’s the beauty of most dancing performances at the Opera House; you get to see some fine dancing and they usually throw in a fine orchestra or group of musicians for good measure. That’s like 2 for 1! 🙂
The most interesting instrument on stage was the accordian-like “Bandoneon” which was played by Daniel Binelli. This pic is one of him I found playing this unique instrument from the website Accordian USA. Other musicans included Cristian Zarate on piano, Cesar Aneleri on guitar, Martin Keledjian on bass/harmonica and Bruno Cavallaro on violin. Fine musicians all of them!
The 2nd half was even livelier than the 1st. Wish I could have snuck a pic or two (of course I never would!) in the final scenes with 7 couples dancing away in beautiful choreography with the 5 musicians just behind them on slightly raised platforms. The men were in black suits and there were a wide range of gorgeous dresses; 2 in white, 2 in red with others in dark brown, pink, and black. Another scene had all the ladies wearing beautiful red dresses with long slits on the sides, wearing velvet gloves that went just past the elbow. Here’s a good pic I found of this very scene on the website of Al Bustan Festival (no connection to Muscat’s Al Bustan!):
“It takes 2 to tango!”
Well done, Daniel Binelli and the entire Tango Metropolis Dance Company!BRAVO! A great evening of fine music, electric dancing and splendid entertainment.
After the performance, ushers handed out a pamphlet listing the performances coming in April. It included this nice pic (which I hope is okay to post! 🙂 ):
Make sure you check out the ROHM website for latest additions!
Anyone reading this attend “Tango Metropolis”. If so, what did you think?
Andy in Oman 
