Rafael Bonachela’s journey from Spain to Sydney

It’s not every day the King of Spain bestows an award on a Sydneysider – but that’s what happened to Rafael Bonachela last month when he received a ‘Cross of the Order of Civil Merit’ from His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, for services to arts and culture.

It was a big few days for the Spanish-born dancer and choreographer: in the week he received the Spanish royal nod, he also became a ‘true blue’ Aussie, with the Australian Government granting him permanent residency.

“It was a real milestone for me – being recognised by my country of birth, and officially becoming a resident of my adopted home,” says Rafael, who moved here in 2009 to become Artistic Director of the Sydney Dance Company.

But Rafael has had a strong association with Australia for years – one that began over a decade ago when our very own pop princess Kylie Minogue began working with him.

“Kylie was the first person who really took a chance on me and showed me respect in my career as an adult,” he says today.

“She took me to a whole new level and opened up new horizons for me.”

And arguably, Rafael brought new horizons to Kylie, choreographing her landmark KylieFever2002 concert tour in its entirety, in addition to working on her Showgirl tours and the videos to her hits ‘Love at First Sight’, ‘I Believe In You’ and ‘Giving You Up’ – helping create some memorable Minogue moments.

These days, Rafael is better known as the energetic force behind the Sydney Dance Company. Through his own work and a keen eye for commissioning emerging talent, he’s helped forge the company’s reputation as one of the world’s leading dance companies.

“I’ve done five or six works myself and commissioned about 15,” he says. “Commissioning other artists is just as important as your own work because a successful dance company is all about enrichment and new ideas.”

That modus operandi is illustrated by the Sydney Dance Company’s latest offering De Novo, which is actually three works in one: Rafael’s own Emergence, set to the music of singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko and composer Nick Wales; Cacti by Swedish dance prodigy Alexander Ekman; and Fanatic, by rising Australian star Larissa McGowan, who pits Alien against Predator in a unique pop-culture collision.

The reviews are ecstatic, adding more feathers to Rafael’s well-plumaged cap.

“I can honestly say I’m at the happiest point of my life so far, professionally and personally,” says Rafael, who’s also found love in Sydney with his Australian doctor boyfriend, Joe.

“Moving to Sydney has changed my life for the better in many ways. I’ve loved Sydney from the moment I arrived and it just keeps getting better.”

As Kylie might put it: it was ‘Love at First Sight’.

De Novo plays until March 23 at the Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. Visit www.sydneytheatre.org.au for details.