The Argentinian choreographer and dancer Armando Navarro (1941-2013) was connected to Scapino Ballet Rotterdam for thirty years – 21 years of which as Creative Director.
Navarro was born in Buenos Aires and trained by Gema Castillo. He started his career in 1947 as ballet dancer at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, the National Ballet of Cuba. After that, he danced at the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas in Monte Carlo, where he met dancer Marian Sarstädt. He married her in 1961. When she was hired by the Nederlands Dans Theater, the couple moved to the Netherlands. Soon Navarro got in touch with Scapino, where he was hired in 1963 as ballet master. Claire du Lune was the first performance Navarro choreographed for Scapino. In addition to his role as choreographer, he often danced various major parts in the dance performances.
In 1970 Navarro succeeded Hans Snoek as Creative Director. Under her management great classic ballets such as The Nutcracker Ballet (De Notekraker), Coppélia and Cinderella (Assepoester) were adapted and these shows had become more accessible to a younger audience. Scapino was able to further professionalize thanks to Navarro’s high standards and the fact that he required a lot from dancers, teachers and guest teachers.
Navarro stayed with Scapino until 1991. Nils Christe succeeded him as Creative Director.