María Pagés Company

A narrative built through solos and ensemble choreographies, seamlessly woven together around the multifaceted essence of femininity. Its central figure unites the individuality of each performer with the overwhelming strength of the collective. Structured in twelve choreographies, De Scheherezade unfolds as a story that brings together the uniqueness of each interpreter and the power of the group. This woman—who is all women—guides the narrative, sharing with the audience her knowledge, contradictions, loves, heartbreaks, strengths, and fragilities.

The choreographies embody a female diversity that takes hold of the action, conquering the stage—both real and symbolic—through thirteen women of strong individuality who explore, through dance and music, the plurality of the gender they represent.

Directed by María Pagés and El Arbi El Harti, De Scheherezade delves into both popular and classical repertoires, with a special focus on Moroccan music. The piece travels freely through dialogue between classical, popular, and flamenco traditions, performed by a string quartet and percussion, joined by an Arabic voice and two flamenco singers.

Created and produced by María Pagés Compañía for the Liceu in Barcelona and ADMAF, De Scheherezade draws inspiration from the legendary figure of One Thousand and One Nights. Dramaturgically, it emerges from a contemporary reading of the essence of the extraordinary female characters that have shaped the history of universal culture.

Its exploratory nature continues the path of Yo, Carmen (2015), a landmark work in which María Pagés and El Arbi El Harti deepen their reflection on women’s empathy, placing sorority at the heart of a female voice that rises to express and affirm the many-sided realities of women’s everyday lives.

The show is part of the subscriptions: Discover Dance, Flamenco Women, Large Format, and Flamenco.

On the occasion of the performances of De Scheherezade at Centro Danza Matadero, Cineteca will screen on Wednesday, September 24 at 8:00 pm the documentary El baile de la alquimista, by Arantxa Vela, based on the staging of De Scheherezade at the Roman Theatre of Mérida.