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Dancer

Carlos Rivarola

Carlos Rivarola is an Argentine tango dancer, choreographer and teacher, born on 22 February 1952 [8]. He was part of the original cast of *Tango Argentino*, choreographed for films including Marcos Zurinaga's *Tango Bar* and Carlos Saura's *Tango*, and made annual trips to Japan to perform and teach [1][2]. His long-standing dance partner and wife is María Rivarola [2][5].

Carlos Rivarola is a tango dancer, choreographer, director and teacher whose birth date is recorded as 22 February 1952 [8]. He began dancing as a child with folk dance in Villa Ballester and made his professional debut as a teenager in Mar del Plata [1][2].

His career included the stage show *Tango Argentino* from its Paris opening through its Broadway run, work in film as both dancer and choreographer, and a long association with Japan, where he directed shows and founded tango clubs and academies [1][2][3]. He co-founded AMBCTA, an Argentine association of tango teachers, dancers and choreographers, which he later chaired [1].

Much of his career was shared with María Rivarola (María del Carmen Rodríguez), whom he met around 1972 and later married [2]. He continued to tour and perform in the 2020s, including a 2024 European tour and a filmed performance in July 2025 [5][6].

Early life and training

Rivarola's birth date is given as 22 February 1952 [8]. Around the age of eight, about 1960, he began studying folk dance with the teacher Ana María Pérez in Villa Ballester [2]. He later trained with Mario Bustos and with the ballet master Alfredo Gurquel [2].

He made his professional debut at about the age of 15, around 1967, at the Teatro Auditorium in Mar del Plata, in a show with Mariano Mores and Hugo del Carril [1].

Partnership with María Rivarola

Around the age of 20, about 1972, Rivarola met María del Carmen Rodríguez, known as María Rivarola, at the King Club in Buenos Aires, and the two began a lasting dance partnership; they later married [2]. Around 1975 the couple toured Peru, Colombia and Venezuela in a Nélida y Nelson show, and danced on *La Botica del Tango* [1].

A 2024 report on his European tour described María Rivarola as his partner both on and off the dance floor [5].

Tango Argentino

In 1983 Rivarola opened *Tango Argentino* in Paris as a member of the original cast [1]. By 1985 the show had reached the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway [3]. In 1986 he was nominated for a Tony award together with the *Tango Argentino* dancers [1].

Work in Japan

In 1984 Rivarola made the first of what became annual trips to Japan to perform and teach [1]. In 1986 he created and directed the first tango show performed entirely by Japanese dancers, musicians and singers [1].

Around 1996 he directed *Los Grandes del Tango Argentino* in Japan, and by this period he had founded tango clubs and academies there [2]. His connection with Japan was also the theme of the Ireland Japan Association's report on his 2024 European tour [5].

Film and stage choreography

In 1989 Rivarola danced in and choreographed Marcos Zurinaga's film *Tango Bar* [1]. Around 1998 he was principal dancer with Eleonora Cassano in Tangokinesis and appeared in Carlos Saura's film *Tango* [1]. For his work on Saura's *Tango*, he received the 1999 choreography award of the Academy of Dance on Film in the United States [1].

Later career

In 2001 Rivarola co-founded AMBCTA, the Argentine association of tango teachers, dancers and choreographers, and he later served as its chair [1]. In 2023 he gave a filmed interview on the state of tango today, released with English subtitles [4].

In 2024 he toured Europe, performing and teaching with María Rivarola; the tour included his fourth visit to Ireland [5]. A video from July 2025 shows him dancing with Weilung Chang to Osvaldo Pugliese's 'La rayuela', indicating that he was still performing at that time [6].

Dance partners

A video listing records Rivarola dancing with a number of partners, without dates . Partners recorded there include:

  • María Rivarola
  • Natacha Poberaj
  • Moira Castellano
  • Laila Rezk
  • Ofelia Rosito
  • Gladys Fernandez
  • Yasmina Baileche
  • Sin Rumbo Normy
  • Lucila Segura
  • Weilung Chang

References

How Tangopedia works

  1. 1.Carlos Rivarola · es.wikipedia.org
  2. 2.Tangos al bardo: Carlos Rivarola · tangosalbardo.blogspot.com
  3. 3.Carlos Rivarola Interview Part1 · youtube.com
  4. 4.TANGO en la actualidad entrevista a Carlos Rivarola (resumen) · youtube.com
  5. 5.Argentine Tango and Japan | Carlos Rivarola 2024 European Tour · ija.ie
  6. 6.2025 July - Legend of Tango - Carlos Rivarola y Weilung Chang (La Rayuela, Osvaldo Pugliese) · youtube.com
  7. 8.Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app

How they dance

From TangoTube's videos · our data

Filmed

2006–2026

What they dance

  • Tango 80%
  • Milonga 15%
  • Vals 5%

Orchestras they dance to most

Cities filmed in

  • Buenos Aires7 videos
  • St Petersburg6 videos
  • San Francisco2 videos

Career

Titles, partnerships and events, newest first

  1. 2025First filmed with · Yasmina Baileche
  2. 2024First filmed with · Weilung Chang
  3. 2023First filmed with · Moira Castellano
  4. 2018Filmed at · Tango Salon Extremo
  5. 2016Filmed at · White Nights Tango
  6. 2016Filmed at · Tango Salon Extremo
  7. 2015First filmed with · Gladys Fernandez
  8. 2013Filmed at · Sunderland Club
  9. 2013Filmed at · White Nights Tango
  10. 2013Filmed at · Viva La Pepa
  11. 2012Filmed at · Sunderland Club
  12. 2011Filmed at · Sunderland Club
  13. 2011First filmed with · Natacha Poberaj
  14. 2009Filmed at · White Nights Tango
  15. 2009Filmed at · Nora's Tango Week
  16. 2008First filmed with · Ofelia Rosito
  17. 2005First filmed with · Maria Rivarola

Tours

  1. 1975With María Rivarola, tours Peru, Colombia and Venezuela in a Nélida y Nelson show, and dances on 'La Botica del Tango'.†

    Part of Carlos and María Rivarola's 1975 tour of Peru, Colombia and Venezuela

    Places named: Peru, Colombia, Venezuela

  2. 2024Tours Europe (his fourth visit to Ireland) performing and teaching with María Rivarola, described as his partner both on and off the dance floor; continues teaching at IUNA and chairing AMBCTA.†

    Part of Carlos and María Rivarola's 2024 European tour

    Places named: Ireland

What we don't know yet4 of 5 known

Whether they lead or follow.

Data: recordings, facts and sources

Partnered with11

Partnered with Natacha PoberajSingle source

Partnered with Moira CastellanoSingle source

Partnered with Laila RezkSingle source

Partnered with Maria RivarolaSupported · 2

Partnered with Ofelia RositoSingle source

Partnered with Gladys FernandezSingle source

Partnered with Yasmina BailecheSingle source

Partnered with SIN RUMBO NormySingle source

Partnered with Lucila SeguraSingle source

Partnered with Weilung ChangSingle source

Carlos Rivarola — partnered with Carlos Rivarola1970–1979, 1983Supported · 2

Notes16

Begins folk dance around age eight with teacher Ana María Pérez in Villa Ballester; later trains with Mario Bustos and ballet master Alfredo Gurquel.1960Single source

Makes his professional debut at about 15 at the Teatro Auditorium, Mar del Plata, in a show with Mariano Mores and Hugo del Carril.1967Single source

Meets María del Carmen Rodríguez (María Rivarola) at the King Club, Buenos Aires, around age 20, and begins a lasting dance partnership; they later marry.1972Single source

With María Rivarola, tours Peru, Colombia and Venezuela in a Nélida y Nelson show, and dances on 'La Botica del Tango'.1975Single source

Opens 'Tango Argentino' in Paris with the original cast.1983Single source

First of annual trips to Japan to perform and teach.1984Single source

'Tango Argentino' reaches Broadway's Mark Hellinger Theatre.1985Single source

Dances in and choreographs Marcos Zurinaga's film 'Tango Bar'.1989Single source

Directs 'Los Grandes del Tango Argentino' in Japan and, by this period, has founded tango clubs and academies there.1996Single source

Principal dancer with Eleonora Cassano in Tangokinesis; appears in Carlos Saura's 'Tango'.1998Single source

Co-founds AMBCTA, the Argentine association of tango teachers, dancers and choreographers, which he later chairs.2001Single source

Gives a filmed interview on tango today, with English subtitles.2023Single source

Tours Europe (his fourth visit to Ireland) performing and teaching with María Rivarola, described as his partner both on and off the dance floor;2024Single source

A July 2025 video shows him dancing with Weilung Chang to Pugliese's 'La rayuela', evidence he was still performing.2025Single source

Carlos Rivarola — described as Carlos Rivarola (Bailarín y coreógrafo)1984, 1986Single source

Known worldwide as a member of the cast of Tango Argentino, premiered in 1983, nominated with the other dancers for the 1986 Tony Awards for best choreography1983Single source

Won2

Won Creates and directs the first tango show performed entirely by Japanese dancers, musicians and singers; nominated for a Tony with the 'Tango Argentino' dancers.1986Single source

Won Wins the 1999 choreography award of the Academy of Dance on Film (US) for Saura's 'Tango'.1999Single source

Born2

Born on February 22, 1952Supported · 2

Carlos Rivarola — born on Carlos Rivarola (February 22, 1952)Single source

External id1

Carlos Rivarola — external id Carlos Rivarola (todotango:creador/3915)Single source

Judged1

Judged Mundial de Baile de Tango (Tango Escenario final 2016)2016, 2024Supported · 2

Era1

Era electronic-festival2002–2026Single source

Partners

Danced together in TangoTube's videos · our data

Events

Where they were filmed, most first · our data

Timeline

  1. Feb 22, 1952Born on 22 February in Villa Ballester.

    source

  2. 1960Begins folk dance around age eight with teacher Ana María Pérez in Villa Ballester; later trains with Mario Bustos and ballet master Alfredo Gurquel.

    source

  3. 1967Makes his professional debut at about 15 at the Teatro Auditorium, Mar del Plata, in a show with Mariano Mores and Hugo del Carril. The year is worked out from his age.

    source

  4. 1972Meets María del Carmen Rodríguez (María Rivarola) at the King Club, Buenos Aires, around age 20, and begins a lasting dance partnership; they later marry.

    source

  5. 1975With María Rivarola, tours Peru, Colombia and Venezuela in a Nélida y Nelson show, and dances on 'La Botica del Tango'.

    source

  6. 1983Opens 'Tango Argentino' in Paris with the original cast.

    source

  7. 1984First of annual trips to Japan to perform and teach.

    source

  8. 1985'Tango Argentino' reaches Broadway's Mark Hellinger Theatre.

    source

  9. 1986Creates and directs the first tango show performed entirely by Japanese dancers, musicians and singers; nominated for a Tony with the 'Tango Argentino' dancers.

    source

  10. 1989Dances in and choreographs Marcos Zurinaga's film 'Tango Bar'.

    source

  11. 1996Directs 'Los Grandes del Tango Argentino' in Japan and, by this period, has founded tango clubs and academies there.

    source

  12. 1998Principal dancer with Eleonora Cassano in Tangokinesis; appears in Carlos Saura's 'Tango'.

    source

  13. 1999Wins the 1999 choreography award of the Academy of Dance on Film (US) for Saura's 'Tango'.

    source

  14. 2001Co-founds AMBCTA, the Argentine association of tango teachers, dancers and choreographers, which he later chairs.

    source

  15. 2023Gives a filmed interview on tango today, with English subtitles.

    source

  16. 2024Tours Europe (his fourth visit to Ireland) performing and teaching with María Rivarola, described as his partner both on and off the dance floor; continues teaching at IUNA and chairing AMBCTA.

    source

  17. 2025A July 2025 video shows him dancing with Weilung Chang to Pugliese's 'La rayuela', evidence he was still performing.

    source

Most watched videos

On TangoTube · our data

All their videos on TangoTube

Connected

From TangoTube's videos · our data

Listen

  1. Estampa de varónJuan D'Arienzo · Alberto Echagüe1938
  2. La bebaOsvaldo Pugliese1972
  3. El puntazoJuan D'Arienzo1952
  4. TierritaJuan D'Arienzo · Héctor Mauré1941
  5. La rayuelaOsvaldo Pugliese1953
  6. HumillaciónJuan D'Arienzo · Héctor Mauré1941
  7. DivinaOsvaldo Fresedo · Carlos Barrios1953
  8. Don Agustín BardiOsvaldo Pugliese1961
  9. Tristezas de la calle CorrientesMiguel Caló · Raúl Berón1942
  10. El andariegoAlfredo Gobbi1951
  11. Bahia BlancaCarlos Di Sarli1957
  12. Romance de barrioAníbal Troilo · Floreal Ruiz1947

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