Rafael Bonachela is a Choreographer, Artistic Director and Curator who has worked across genres – from high art to mass-consumed popular culture, and in forms that include contemporary dance, visual art, pop concerts, musicals, film, fashion and more.
He was born to dance, but it wasn’t an easy path to follow out of his childhood, and away from his conservative father, as he recently shared on ABC’s Creative Types With Virginia Trioli.
Bonachela first collaborated with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 2012 for Project Rameau, a celebration of the great Baroque composer. They were back together again in 2015 for Illuminated, which toured in Australia nationally, as well as to Hong Kong.
Get to know the dancer and arts leader ahead of the next Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company collaboration, Silence & Rapture.
Rafael Bonachela's 'Impermanence' (Preview)
Born near Barcelona
Rafael Bonachela was born in La Garriga near Barcelona in 1972.
He was determined to dance as a child, and by 17 was travelling around Europe to dance full time. In 1992, he joined the prestigious Rambert dance company in London where he was based for over a decade.
He worked extensively in Europe, before premiering his first full length production, 360°, with Sydney Dance Company in 2008. He was appointed Artistic Director of the prestigious institution in 2009.
His vision for the Company embraces a guiding principle that sees commissioned dance works by Australian and international choreographers alongside his own critically acclaimed creations.
“A completely mystical, complex and deeply impressive achievement.”Arts Hub, reviewing Rafael Bonachela & Sydney Dance Company’s Momenta.
A lover of live music
Bonachela is dedicated to producing shows that feature live music as often as possible. “When I went to London and joined Rambert, an orchestra called London Music would tour with us,” he has said. “There was always this rule that if the piece could be played live, then it should be played live. I became totally addicted to that. It is now part of what I do as much as I can. About once a year, we manage to include an element of live music. That always makes me extremely happy, because there’s an electricity and an extra layer of excitement that live music brings to dance.”
Bonachela loves choral and chamber music, as well as music from his native country, Spain.
Rafael Bonachela's 'ab [intra]' (Preview)
Choreographer to the stars
Bonachela was asked by Kylie Minogue to choreograph a live performance that would go on to become iconic: her 2002 Brit Awards performance of Can’t Get you Out of My Head.
After that huge gig, he worked with other huge musicians, including Tina Turner and Primal Scream, and fashion designers including Hugo Boss and Jaguar.
Kylie Minogue: Can't Get You Out of My Head (Live)
Lured ‘Down Under’
While his career was going from one celebrity-affiliated job to another, Bonachela was head-hunted to be the new Artistic Director for Sydney Dance Company, based at Walsh Bay.
Bonachela had premiered his first full-length production, 360°, for the company in 2008, and less than six months later he was appointed in the top job.
He has choreographed numerous sell-out works for the company, and in September 2019, a duet from Bonachela’s full length work ab [intra] was performed by etoiles of the Paris Opéra Ballet for their prestigious 350th Anniversary Fundraising Gala at Palais Garnier.
“I am thrilled to collaborate with Richard and the Australian Chamber Orchestra to bring Silence & Rapture to the stage. Choreographing and performing to live music is always an incredibly enriching experience; doing so to the music of JS Bach and Arvo Pärt is a privilege.”Rafael Bonachela
The loving father of many houseplants
Speaking with The Guardian recently, Bonachela described his love of houseplants and how tending to them can bring peace: “When I come back home after touring internationally, the first thing I do is kiss Joe, and then I run to see the plants. Tending to them gives me so much joy – it’s a way for me to calm down and centre myself.”
Photo: The Guardian
'ab [intra]' the story from within: creative process
Friend of the Maison
In 2022, Cartier announced Bonachela as a new Friend of the Maison.
From his internationally recognised talent as both a dancer and choreographer, to his commitments supporting a new generation of emerging artists and choreographers, Bonachela embodies values cherished by Cartier: strength of character, virtuosity and the ability to find beauty wherever it may lie.
Rafael Bonachela's 'Cinco' (Preview)
Friend of the ACO
Bonachela runs Sydney Dance Company just a few metres across the water from the ACO, and he and Richard Tognetti have collaborated several times over the years. His love of live music, and the ACO's visionary approach to pushing boundaries in the way that music is presented, make the two organisationsa beautiful fit when it comes to working together.
“I am thrilled to collaborate with Richard and the Australian Chamber Orchestra to bring Silence & Rapture to the stage,” Bonachela says. “Choreographing and performing to live music is always an incredibly enriching experience; doing so to the music of JS Bach and Arvo Pärt is a privilege. Sydney Dance Company dancers Emily Seymour, Liam Green and I are very excited to be a part of this project, as we connect with audiences across six cities in Australia with the extraordinarily ACO.
Silence & Rapture | Australian Chamber Orchestra x Sydney Dance Company
Following Project Rameau, in 2012, and Illuminated in 2015, a collaboration between Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Dance Company is something ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti is just as excited about:
“The ACO first collaborated with Raf and the outstanding Sydney Dance Company in 2012, with Project Rameau, a scintillating exploration of the physicality of Rameau’s music,” he says. “Ever since the success of this performance, and our 2015 collaboration Illuminated, we’ve been dreaming and scheming of collaborating anew and have arrived on a performance that celebrates the spiritual, otherworldly music of JS Bach and Arvo Pärt.”
Silence & Rapture, tours to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane. Click here to buy tickets – from $59, or $35 for under 35s and $25 for students.
