A Tempestuous Display of Ballet at its Best!
The Gala evening of dance by the Ballet Nacionale de Cuba was a brilliant showcase of classical ballet at its finest. Alicia Alonso the General Director of the Cuban ballet is now in her 90th year and a legend in her own life time. She was born in Cuba but danced for many years in America and was a founding member of the New York Ballet Theatre now called ABT. She returned to Cuba with her husband in 1948 and set up a dance company. Then in 1959 she asked Castro if he would fund the Cuban Ballet School. This school today is the foundation of the Cuban Ballet Company.
The programme starts with a ballet very close to the heart of Alicia and one she herself made famous. Giselle Act 11 is choreographed by Alicia Alonso and danced on Wednesday 7th April by Anette Delgado and Javier Torres. Anette captures the ethereal quality of the Wilis and is as light as thistledown. The corps work in unison with straight lines and beautiful heads and arms.
Both Yanela Pinera and Elier Bourzac dance with style and precision in the Grand pas de deux in Act 111 of Sleeping Beauty.
The last ballet before the interval was Nutcracker. Firstly the corps with solists dance the Waltz of the Flowers and then Sadaise Arencibia and Alejandro Virelles dance the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Alejandro dancing is spectacular! The audience gasp and erupt into spontaneous appaulse as he balances in multiple turns and leaps into the air with ease and artistry. He is a tall man with great posture and wonderful technique
He is certainly on form this evening. The women also excelled in this evening of dance with their beautiful balances and control though there was not always the same technical ablility or
attack in their legs and feet.
He is certainly on form this evening. The women also excelled in this evening of dance with their beautiful balances and control though there was not always the same technical ablility or
attack in their legs and feet.
Don quixote in the second half stole the show. Carlos Accosta is on fire. He is lean, dramatic and has a wide grin on his face of shear pleasure. His technique is brilliant and his turns are exciting and breathtaking. His partner Viensgay Valdes is magical. A beautiful face and the most mind blowing balances with style and vivacity. The audience is captivated by this tempestuous display of ballet at its best!
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