PROJECT
“A performance where tradition meets innovation, and the whole town becomes part of the story.”
Legend of the Devil’s Bridge (2026) - Leyenda del Puente del Diablo is an immersive contemporary Flamenco experience that transforms an iconic landmark into a living stage. When an old woman challenges the Devil to build a bridge, she does more than save a village —she opens a portal between worlds.
Driven by the raw power of Los Ricos —with Sonia Olla’s mesmerizing dance and Ismael Fernández’s soul-stirring voice— the performance gathered over 100 participants. The cultural heartbeat of the city took center stage with dancers, giants, big-heads, devils, and judo players.
Press
Through conceptual costumes, large-scale staging, and vibrant light/FX, Los Ricos delivers a massive live show fpr over 1500 audience at Martorell Spring Fair 2026.
Script
Legend of the Devil’s Bridge is an immersive, site-specific blend of Flamenco, original music, and contemporary dance —proving that some bridges lead directly to our dreams.
Legend
To save her village, an Old Woman (Velleta) promises the human Devil (Diable) the first soul to cross his new bridge. Once built, she outwits him by sending a Cat across first.
PRESS
“The 13th edition of the Legend of the Devil’s Bridge anchored the Martorell Spring Fair 2026, earning rave local reviews. Blending local folklore with world-class Flamenco, the production featured renowned artists Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernández, who detailed the project’s creative evolution in Martorell Digital. The performance —celebrating the timeless story of the Old Woman outsmarting the Devil— shared top billing on Martorell TV alongside major musical acts like Lia Kali’s concert.”
LINKS
BIOS
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SONIA OLLA
GENERAL DIRECTOR | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | MUSIC DIRECTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER | DANCE
Acclaimed by The New York Times as "a furnace of earthy sensuality," Sonia was born and raised in Barcelona. She has toured as a company member and soloist with flamenco greats including Antonio Canales, Eva la Yerbabuena, Rafaela Carrasco, Merche Esmeralda, María Pagés, and La Farruca, among others. An internationally renowned bailaora (dancer), director, and choreographer of her own shows, Sonia currently resides in New York City, where she combines teaching with her performance and choreography career. Venues include the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Le Poisson Rouge, Rose Nagelburg Theatre, Baruch Performing Arts Center (NY), Instituto Cervantes (Chicago), and various flamenco festivals. Sonia has also collaborated with Madonna and Ricky Martin. | losricosofficial.com
ISMAEL FERNÁNDEZ
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | MUSIC DIRECTOR | LYRICS | VOIICE
Described by The Washington Post as a "charismatic artist" with a "connection to the Gypsy source," Ismael was born in Seville of Gypsy descent and grew up performing in flamenco festivals. He began his career in the tablaos El Cordobés, La Carbonería, and the flamenco caves of Granada. Winner of the National Contest of Córdoba and a finalist at the Festival de Cante de La Unión, he has performed at the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla. Ismael has worked with Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Marina Heredia, El Torombo, Rafaela Carrasco, and Gustavo Dudamel. He has performed with María Pagés’ company at the Sadler's Wells Theatre (London), Orchard Hall (Japan), Teatro Real (Madrid), and Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona). Together with Sonia, he co-created Tablao Sevilla, Entretiempo, Tiempo al aire, and Por los caminos. He resides in New York City. | losricosofficial.com
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PEDRO VALIENTE
DIRECTOR | PRODUCER | WRITER | FILM
Pedro Valiente is an award winning filmmaker exploring narratives across the arts, with a focus on interdisciplinary and multicultural storytelling. His work has received two Berlinale awards, an Emmy nomination, and nearly sixty honors. screened at over 100 film festivals (Sundance, SXSW), TV (PBS, BBC), and art centers (MoMA, Whitney, Licoln Center). He has collaborated in Steven Soderbergh and Spike Lee productions, and has deep roots in the avant-garde performing arts, working with Robert Wilson and integrating multimedia into premieres in Madrid by Bernard-Marie Koltès, Sergi Belbel, and Julio Cortázar. | flyingfishwork.com
MARCO DE ANA
STAGE DIRECTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER
Spanish-Austrian flamenco dancer Marco de Ana debuted at the 2002 Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla alongside Israel Galván, later becoming his long-term assistant choreographer and rehearsal director. An experienced performer in Spain’s top tablaos, Marco has also created a dozen of his own shows over the past 12 years, premiering them at major international festivals including Impulstanz Festival Vienna, Flamenco Festival Düsseldorf, Festival de Jerez, and the Dutch Flamenco Biennial. | instagram.com/marcodeanaflamenco
ROBERT ‘ROBI’ SVÄRD
MUSIC COMPOSER/PRODUCER i MUSIC
Arguably Sweden's most globally recognized flamenco guitarist. He studied under Gregory Pikler at the Sydney Conservatory of Music in Australia, where he received numerous accolades, including The Young Achievement Award. He lived in Seville for four years, collaborating with figures such as Rafael Amador (of Pata Negra) and El Pechuga. The album Vestidos de domingo by La Cabra Mecánica, featuring Robi, was nominated for a Grammy. He has released the albums Pa’ki Pa’ka under Asphalt Tango Records and Alquimia. | instagram.com/robiflamenco
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ÁLVARO MOLINA
SET I COSTUME | LIGHTING DESIGNER
A creative director and scenic designer specializing in live productions. As an architect with a specialization in Art Direction and Scenography, he combines architecture, narrative, and technology to develop new performance formats. He has collaborated with companies such as Disney, Hermès, and Netflix, as well as creators like Tim Burton, on internationally prominent projects including Tim Burton's Labyrinth, Squid Game: The Experience, and Naturaleza Encendida (Illuminated Nature). In the music industry, he has developed stage designs for major events like Benidorm Fest and Junior Eurovision. His practice spans from grand-scale interventions in heritage environments to contemporary stage productions. | alvaromolinaestudio.com
MAJO DOMÍNGUEZ
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
A technical coordinator and production assistant with over ten years of experience in hybrid stage and installation projects. Trained in scenography and theatrical lighting in Andalusia and in cinematography in Barcelona, she completed a Master’s in Cultural Project Management in Madrid. She has collaborated with the documentary film association Nomadocs on audiovisual projects in Spain and Southeast Asia. Majo has coordinated teams, staging, and complex logistics for large-scale exhibitions such as Sebastião Salgado's Amazônia (Maritime Museum of Barcelona), Banksy Exhibition (Dhub), and scenic spaces at the CCCB. She develops her artistic research on light, territory, and memory through experimental photography and sound-video art, a journey initiated with the Violeta Fellowship at the Manu Candela Residency (Galapagos, Ecuador).
NADIA ZÚÑIGA
STAGE COORDINATIOR
A stage creator and director with a 25-year career spanning Mexico and Spain, focused on preventing gender-based violence and empowering women. She trained at the National School of Theater Arts (Mexico) and the Institut del Teatre (Barcelona). She is the co-author of Mexicatas alongside Sergi Belbel (FiraTàrrega), and the author/director of plays such as Modou, Modou and Obre la porta. She was a member of Projecte Vaca (winner of the María José Ragué Critics' Award), founder of El Ensamble Teatro Playback (SOS Cultura Award 2020), and Vice President of the Iberian Association of Playback Theater. | nashan778.wixsite.com/nadiazuniga
DAVID MATIANO
CHOREOGRAPHY/STAGE ASSISTANT
Following various engagements with the National Dance Companies of Mexico and Cuba, David was invited to join Dance Works at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He later collaborated with Looking Glass Dance Productions and on the international tour of Mylène Farmer Live à Bercy. He resided in New York City for seventeen years. A graduate in English from the University of Barcelona, he currently works as a teacher at English Studio Cornellá and as a Dance Teacher at the American School of Barcelona. | imdb.com/name/nm1365068
ALMUDENA BRETÓN
COSTUME DESIGN
A costume designer and stylist specializing in film, theater, and advertising. She boasts a solid track record in national and international productions, developing concepts that integrate narrative, aesthetics, and character building. She designed the costumes for the feature films Viejos (The Elderly) and La Pasajera (The Passenger), both selected for the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival. Her theatrical credits include One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and the musical Goya, the Melody of a Legend. In fashion, she works as a stylist for the brand David Catalán during international runway shows including Portugal Fashion, Milan Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. | imdb.com/name/nm9161735
PAULA MARTÍNEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
A freelance production artist and editorial designer with five years of experience in graphic design. She studied Fine Arts at the University of Granada and holds a cross-disciplinary Master’s Degree in Artistic, Literary, and Cultural Studies from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, specializing in Arts and Cultures of Knowledge and Image. She relocated to Madrid, where she worked as a graphic designer for event and brand activation agencies. She recently completed a Master’s Degree in Editorial Design and Digital Publications. | behance.net/paulamort#
SCRIPT
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On Stage 02 (Public), the VELLETA (Little Old Woman) appears in the water. She is accompanied by several VILLAGE WOMEN (Dance Groups). On Stage 01 (Bridge), more WOMEN perform an in crescendo dance with flying dresses. The wooden bridge collapses.
[SPANISH] La Velleta cruza el río cada día. Estalla la tormenta y se cae el puente de madera. En el Escenario 02 (Público) la VELLETA (Viejita) aparece en el agua. La acompañan varias MUJERES DEL PUEBLO (Grupos de Danza). En el Escenario 01 (Puente), más MUJERES realizan una danza in crescendo con vestidos elevados. El puente de madera se cae. LEYENDA: La Leyenda del Puente del Diablo cuenta la historia de una anciana que cada día debía pasar el río para ir a buscar agua a la fuente que había en la otra orilla. Ella era ya muy mayor y no estaba para esos trotes. Saltar de piedra en piedra, mojándose los pies, ya le había traído más de un disgusto. DESARROLLO: La escena es azul, color de vida. Un tiempo antes del inicio, un grupo de Mujeres aparece junto al río. Una a una, tientan el agua, tímidamente. Comienza la música (Tema 01). Aparece la Velleta, que se acerca al agua con más ímpetu. Hay algo mágico en ella, que las Mujeres van aprendiendo. Con sus largos vestidos al viento, in crescendo, representan la corriente del río. Al final de la escena, colapsa el puente de madera. text goes here
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The DEVIL appears before the VELLETA and offers her a new bridge in exchange for the first soul that crosses it.
[SPANISH] El DIABLO aparece ante la VELLETA y le ofrece un puente nuevo a cambio de la primera alma que lo cruce. LEYENDA: Una mañana, cuando estaba junto a la orilla, a punto de pasar el río, se le apareció el Diablo, que era un gran negociante. –¿Qué hace usted pasando el río de esta manera? ¡Con mi gran poder haré que no tenga que cruzarlo nunca más! –¿Cómo? –preguntó la anciana sorprendida. –Dame una noche y te construiré el puente más bonito que jamás hayas visto. –¿Seguro? –preguntó ella. –¿Acaso dudas de mi palabra? –respondió el Diablo– Y no os va a costar ni un real. Me conformo con quedarme con el alma del primero que cruce el puente. DESARROLLO: La escena es roja/naranja, color de energía y pasión. Comienza la música (Tema 02). La Velleta aparece al inicio del puente. El Diablo sale de la Torre del Telégrafo. Se encuentran en el centro. La Velleta está sorprendida y desconfiada. El Diablo, seductor, trata de ganarse su confianza.Description text goes here
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The DEVIL paces around proudly, while the WOMEN build the bridge by tossing sand into the wind.
[SPANISH] El DIABLO se pasea ufano, mientras las MUJERES construyen el puente lanzando arena al viento. LEYENDA: La Velleta, cansada de tener que cruzar el río cada día, aceptó el trato. El Diablo trabajó durante toda la noche y cuando los primeros rayos de sol despuntaron tras la Torre del Telégrafo el puente estaba acabado. DESARROLLO: La escena es naranja, color de calidez y renacimiento. Comienza la música (Tema 03). La Mujeres construyen el nuevo puente. Van apareciendo, poco a poco, hasta llegar al final, lanzando tierra al viento, en una coreografía in crescendo. El Diablo, confiado, vigila a las Mujeres.
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The VELLETA returns the following morning and pulls out a CAT, which crosses the bridge.
[SPANISH] La Velleta regresa la mañana siguiente, y saca un Gato, que cruza el puente. LEYENDA: El Diablo, escondido tras el arco del puente, en la otra orilla, esperó a que la anciana llegara en busca del agua y así poder quedarse con su alma. Pero las cosas no salieron como él esperaba. Cuando la Velleta llegó al puente, sacó el mandil del cesto que llevaba colgando del brazo. De dentro del cesto salió un gato negro como el carbón que, asustado, empezó a correr puente arriba. DESARROLLO: La escena es blanca, color de pureza y alegría. Comienza la música (Tema 04). El vestido de la Velleta se transforma en un larguísimo Traje de Cola que se eleva al cielo. Al final de la cola aparece el Gato.ription text goes here
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The VELLETA, the DEVIL, and their GIANTS celebrate with all the townspeople: WOMEN, DEVILS, BIG-HEADS (Cabezudos), and JUDOKAS. The joy erupts into a grand finale of fire.
[SPANISH] La VELLETA, el DIABLO y sus GIGANTES, celebran con todo el pueblo: MUJERES, DIABLLOS, CABEZUDOS y JUDOCAS. La alegría estalla en un gran fuego final. LEYENDA: Y así es como desde ese día la Velleta y todo el mundo puede cruzar, sin miedo, el puente mientras el Diablo nos mira, sin poder hacer nada, junto al alma de un Gato. DESARROLLO: La escena es de colores de celebración y alegría. Comienza la música (Tema 05). La Velleta baila en el centro del Puente. El Diablo la acompaña con su voz. Los Gigantes se acercan a consolar el Diablo. Las Mujeres comparten su felicidad. Los Diablos están algo molestos con la derrota. Los Cabezudos bailan alegres. En medio de todos, emerge un fabuloso fuego.cription text goes here
LEGEND
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“The Legend of the Devil’s Bridge tells the story of a little old woman who had to cross the river every single day to fetch water from the spring on the opposite bank. She was very old by then and no longer fit for such strenuous effort. Leaping from stone to stone and soaking her feet had already caused her more than one mishap. One morning, as she stood by the riverbank about to cross, the Devil —who was a shrewd businessman —appeared before her.
— "What are you doing crossing the river like that? With my great power, I will ensure you never have to cross it this way again!"
— "How?" —asked the old woman, startled.
— "Give me just one night, and I will build you the most beautiful bridge you have ever seen."
— "Are you sure?" —she asked.
— "Do you doubt my word?" —the Devil replied. "And it won't cost you a single coin. I will content myself with the soul of the very first one to cross the bridge."
Exhausted from having to cross the river day after day, the little old woman accepted the deal. The Devil worked all through the night, and as the first rays of sun broke behind the Telegraph Tower, the bridge was finished. Hiding behind the arch of the bridge on the opposite bank, the Devil waited for the old woman to arrive for her water so he could claim her soul. But things did not go as he expected.
When the old woman reached the bridge, she pulled an apron out of the basket hanging from her arm. Out of the basket darted a cat as black as coal, which, startled, began to sprint up the bridge.
And that is how, since that day, the little old woman and everyone else can cross the bridge without fear, while the Devil watches us, entirely helpless, keeping company with the soul of a cat.”
Photo: Vincenzo Rigogliuso
