New York City Ballet Perfoms in Havana

Although greats individually member of New York City Ballet has visited the island, this is the first time a group of them are dancing for the Cuban public, in this case members of its new generation of stars: Tiler Peck, Megan Fairchild, Abi Stafford , Teresa Reichlen, Andrew Vedette, Tyler Angle, Jared Angle and Joaquin de Luz.

Their performances reflect a wide selection including famous works of Goerge Balanchine, founder of the company, the notable Jerome Robbins and Christopher Wheeldon's new creation - "Liturgy" with music by Arvo Part, one of the most today internationally renowned choreographers.

Largely shaping the agenda responds to the dancer Tyler Angle, who noted his satisfaction for bringing a sample of the repertoire of New York City Ballet which has not been seen in other parts of the world yet.

The NYCB presented in his two performances, yesterday and today, in Havana's Mella Theater the world premieres of works like "Chaconne" and "Stars and Stripes" and "Tarantella" of his founding choreographer George Balanchine, and "Liturgy" Christopher Wheeldon.

Also perform two works by Jerome Robbins, "In the night" and "Other Dances" and another of Blanc, "Who Cares".

With two unique features, the last presentation of the main figures of the New Yorker company who visit the Island will take place today November 2nd at 5pm. at Havana's Mella Theater again.
It’s very difficult for U.S. citizens coming to Cuba, and to be here during the International Ballet Festival of Havana makes us feel very happy, Tyler said.

U.S. companies New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre come to the stage of the International Festival of Havana as the two main attractions of this edition, the historical links that relate to the founding figures of ballet in Cuba.

In addition, this visit is made in a year that is producing a tentative cultural rapprochement between artists of different genres of both countries.

The festival, which this year celebrates its half century of life, pays special tribute Alicia Alonso for his 90 birthday, and has artists and companies from other countries such as Spain, France, Germany, Great Britain, Uruguay and Argentina.

The New York City Ballet, one of the foremost dance companies in the world, is unique in US artistic history. Solely responsible for training its own artists and creating its own works, the NYCBallet was the first ballet institution in the world with two permanent homes, the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York.

NYCB still has the largest repertoire by far of any American ballet company, and it often stages 60 ballets or more in its winter and spring seasons at Lincoln Center each year and 20 or more in its summer season in Saratoga Springs. City Ballet has performed The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and many more. City Ballet has trained and developed many great dancers since its formation.

(Pics. René Pérez)