[Tango-L] A true tango - Nieves

[Keith Elshaw]

Yes, a true lovely choreographed.

Now, the back-story on what it is missing:

Carlos Saura begged Maria Nieves to appear in this film, for he meant it
as a tribute to Copes and Nieves.

At the time, it was too soon after Juan dumped her to dance with his
daughter. She would have none of helping him out again - if I may put it
that way. (They later did re-unite for a tour, thank goodness).

The woman who danced in the film is obviously lovely. She copied Nieves'
part so well.

But anyone who saw Nieves dance this signature number of theirs is not
being picky by saying no one else is quite as good in this piece. It was
hers for 40 years. The last few years, she kept Juan from forgetting; from
spreading his legs too far as he does here, etc. (She matched him
perfectly in size and they were intimate since 1952 or so).

No one could STAND on the stage and look so perfect - let alone walk - as
Maria does. There are many reasons why she is a legend. None of it b.s. or
personal opinion. Just look at how history is treating her.

I hope she will forgive me for hinting at personal knowledge. Juan, too.

How I love them. The first tango I ever saw was this Cumparsita by them as
I sat in the third row in the theatre. Over the next 5 months, I watched
them do it 42 times. ALWAYS she was perfect.

She became my sister-in-law for a few years and took me close and gave me
more than she will ever know.

I think she does that to everyone in her way. But, if you know her
personally, you get touched by the gods in a special way, surely.

Mostly, she showed her perfect stage and public posture and that is what
we have all seen.

Privately, she showed her imperfect posture and you felt that was perfect,
too; for airs and pretenses she never bothered with.

Three sisters were the only women Copes ever danced with before his lovely
daughter Johanna grew up and became his partner.

The two younger sisters, Maria and Cristina, will tell you their older
sister Niata was the best. She didn't go professional; but the other two
became part of the legend.

When Nieves and Copes divorced in the early 60's, Cristina was Juan's
partner for two years. Then Maria came back and Cristina resumed her
preferred role in the company (Copes Tango Revue).

But, you should see HER dance. Maria a few years younger.

These people of whom I speak introduced me to tango and I know it changed
my life in part because THEY were tango for me. I feel the same swoon when
I recall their smile and the way they move as I do when I hear a
bandoneon.

Well - just to say:

If you want to see that Cumparsita and call it True Tango, you want to
find a version of Copes and Nieves. Then you can use all superlatives.


And I would add that I wish people outside of professional circles had
some awareness of Cristina (professional name Cristina Rey). She never
wanted the spotlight. But she deserved it every bit as much as Maria.

She joined the Copes company when she was 14 and did the hard work of
training all the new people who came in for the next 30 years. I met many
of them over the years. Gavito's first partner as a professional was
Cristina, for instance.

Perhaps her's is one of the greatest tango dancer stories never told.