Flamenco: Sixth-Generation Artist Maria Juncal Returns to Tel Aviv

One hundred years ago, the celebrated guitarist Miguel Borrull Castelló died. On November 4, his direct descendant Maria Juncal will take the stage in Tel Aviv to perform the show A Different Perspective. The event is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Arison Hall, located at 7 Saadia Gaon St. This specific timeline connects Juncal’s current performance to the deep roots of the Borull family, a lineage of Spanish performers spanning six generations.

Juncal is the sixth in that line. Her great-grandaunt, Julia Borrull, was a Spanish gypsy dancer known for an intense and dramatic style. Julia was the daughter of Miguel. In 1917, when Julia was 21, the Spanish artist Julio Romero de Torres painted her mid-dance. That work, titled Alegrias, currently hangs in a museum in Córdoba, Spain. The Tel Aviv show marks the full 100 years since the death of the patriarch of this musical dynasty.

The performance arrives with a specific context for Juncal, who has maintained a loyal following in Israel for years. She performed in Tel Aviv last year despite the war with Iran. The show is produced by Silvia Baro Productions and the Suzanne Dellal Center. The venue has shifted to the Arison Center this year because the Suzanne Dellal Center’s usual location is undergoing renovation. Since 2021, Juncal has resided in Mexico City, where she opened a tablao flamenco and continues to tour globally.

Four local musicians will accompany Juncal on stage. Piti de Triana will play the guitar, while Yael Horwitz and Miriam Levy will handle vocals. Itay Asterchan will provide percussion. The production also features a roster of Israeli artists. Alejandro Ponce is designing the costumes. Nico Kremenchusky and Ika and Ana Iturbide are handling photography. Tal Gershon is in charge of design and digital media. Dudi Bali is managing sound, and Alexi Merchasin is responsible for lighting.

Juncal told The Jerusalem Post that the past few years have focused on keeping spirits up and maintaining enthusiasm. She described returning to Israel as "always a joy for me, both artistically and personally." Regarding the conflict in the region, she noted that it is often clouded by noise and a lack of understanding in Spain. She observed that reactions are frequently a kind of performance, whereas those with a considered perspective weigh their words carefully.

She expressed a particular fondness for the new show because it involves collaborating with local artists who share a deep love for the art form. Juncal described the process as enriching. She stated that each piece will take on a life of its own on stage, shaped by the combined efforts of all the performers. Tickets for the November 4 event are available at suzannedellal.org.il/en/ and sdc.smarticket.co.il. Additional details can be found at silviabarooffice.com.

The show represents Juncal’s own interpretation of the art form. She aims to present a version enriched by her personal approach while remaining pure flamenco. The performance is directed at fans of the genre as well as those who follow Spanish and Latin music and dance. The collaboration with the local team is central to the production’s structure and artistic direction.