Ranked among the best performers of the art of flamenco is the Spanish Flamenco Dance Group, and they look set to dazzle audiences when they present, for the third time in China, the classic "Carmen."

The troupe will be performing at the Poly Theatre in Beijing from Thursday to Sunday, and at the Shanghai Grand Theatre from September 25 to 27.

Their two previous tours in 2000 and 2001 were both so warmly welcomed by their Chinese audiences, they were persuaded to come back.

Led by the great dancer Clara Ramona, the troupe creates an extraordinary "Carmen," combining their unique repertoire of dance, vocals, characters and storytelling, which marries Spanish flamenco well with Bizet's masterpiece.

The group has won about 40 prestigious dance awards and is the most influential flamenco group in Spain. Their performances take them across the globe and they have toured many countries in Europe, America and Asia. Other favorites of the troupe are "Fascinating Love," "Withered Wood" and "Poet."

Ramona's talents extend beyond her dancing. With 25 years of experience in the Spanish dance tradition, she is also a choreographer, teacher and artistic director. She has directed several dance companies including her own, Ballet Espanol de Clara Ramona.

She has presented her traditional and innovative works and conducted workshops in Japan, Australia, Israel, Italy, Spain and the United States.

Ramona specializes in footwork technique, while incorporating body movement and alignment in both the flamenco style and that of Spanish classical dance.

In "Carmen" Ramona tries to combine the raw passion of the character with a deeper understanding of the woman. This sentiment is aptly summed up by the theme of Ramona's "Carmen" - "Love is sometimes a killer of freedom."

The Spanish Flamenco Dance Group boasts a strong line-up, in which every member is a dance star of exceptional technique when it comes to artistic expression.

Flamenco dance drama "Carmen" mixes the essence of classical ballet, folk, modern, jazz and tap blended with vocal performance.

(China Daily September 10, 2002)