Antonio Gades

• Name — Antonio Gades • Birth Name — Antonio Esteve Ródenas • Born — 14 November 1936 • Birthplace — Elda, Alicante, Spain • Died — 20 July 2004 • Place of death — Madrid, Spain • Occupation — Dancer and choreographer • Children — 5, including María Esteve • Awards — * Orden José Martí • Creu de Sant Jordi

Gades's most notable works included dance adaptations of Prosper Mérimée's Carmen and Federico García Lorca's Blood Wedding (Bodas de Sangre), as well as a feature-length adaptation of Manuel de Falla's 23-minute ballet El amor brujo. In the 1990s, he toured the world with his show Fuenteovejuna, based on Lope de Vega's play of the same name.

Gades co-founded and became the artistic director of the Ballet Nacional de España in 1978.

• Illustration — Statue of Antonio Gades, by the sculptor José Villa Soberón. The statue stands in front of the Palacio de Lombillo, on the Plaza de la Catedral in Havana Vieja, Cuba Gades was prominent as a political activist in Alicante, where he proclaimed self-determination for the Catalan nation during the Spanish Transition between the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain, a Marxist–Leninist organization. In 1987 he was a member of the jury at the 15th Moscow International Film Festival. He was married to the Spanish actress and singer Marisol for 4 years; they had three daughters. He died in Madrid from cancer.

• Los Tarantos 1963 • The Pleasure Seekers 1964 • With the East Wind 1966 • El amor brujo 1967 • The Last Meeting 1967 • Bodas de sangre 1981 • Carmen 1983 • El amor brujo 1986 • Fuenteovejuna 2012

Antonio Gades was recorded at birth as Antonio Esteve Ródenas. The authorities additionally record the headings Antonio Esteve Ródenas and Antonio Esteve Rodenas. His recorded language was Spanish. He married Marisol and Marujita Díaz. 3 children are recorded: María Esteve, Celia Flores and Tamara Esteve.