Marlene Monteiro Freitas & Israel Galván

RI TE

conceived and performed by

Marlene Montero Freitas and Israel Galván

Visual design

Yannick Fouassier

Sound and Technical Direction

Pedro León


a project commissioned by

Théâtre de la Ville Paris – Festival d’Automne à Paris

produced by

P.O.R.K and IGalván Company

P.OR.K Associação Cultural is funded by the Portuguese Republic - Ministry of Culture/ Directorate-General for the Art

IGalván Company is supported by INAEM Instituto Nacional de las Artes Escénicas y de la Música


The encounter between Marlene Monteiro Freitas and Israel Galván seemed destined to happen. It's as if an invisible thread runs between the Cape Verdean choreographer and the Sevillian dancer. At one end is Monteiro Freitas, whose choreography combines extreme precision and freedom, mechanical movements and expressionism. At the other end is Galván, one of the world's best-known flamenco dancers, whose trademark rapid-fire footwork is punctuated by stillness and silence. They had long wanted to bring their two seemingly distant worlds together, united by a passion for rhythm and the ability to combine tension with fiery expressiveness. They are on stage, a wall behind them, inescapably exposed to the audience. Facing each other, they weave a new – and yet immediate – communication: a grammar composed of choreographic steps, snappy gestures and sudden interruptions. They interact like creatures getting to know each other, mixing challenge and seduction in an arrangement that might echo a bullfighting dance. Daily improvisation keeps the dialogue alive. It is a breathtaking encounter between two incredible artists, a moment of pure joy and humour, an animated conversation using only the language of the body.

tour dates

Spain Teatro Central Sevilla – 13-16 November 2024

Spain Grec Festival Barcelona – 4-6 July 2024

Belgium Kunstenfestivaldesarts Bruxelles – 29 May - 1 June 2024

France Festival d'Automne / Théâtre de la Ville Paris – 16-20 December 2022 (world opening) 

©Laurent Philippe