Antonio Esteve Ródenas or Antonio Gades (14 November 1936 – 20 July 2004) was a Spanish flamenco dancer and choreographer. He helped to popularize the art form on the international stage. He was born in Elda, Alicante, and was the father of actress María Esteve and singer Celia Flores-- with his ex-partner Marisol, herself a popular actress and singer.
Career
Flamenco
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.
Film
Gades collaborated with the Spanish director Carlos Saura in the filming of the adaptations of Carmen and Blood Wedding, which also featured Cristina Hoyos.
He was married to the Spanish actress and singer Marisol for 4 years; they had three daughters.
He died in Madrid from cancer.