An Unforgetable Performance of ABT in Havana

The American Ballet Theatre gave memorable performance at Cuba, the U.S. company as a special guest attending the XXII International Ballet Festival of Havana edition dedicated to the prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso in his 90th birthday.

In the opening at the Karl Marx Theater, Kevin McKenzie, ABT's artistic director, along with dancer Jose Manuel Carreno, remarked the arrival of Alicia to the company in 1940, his debut in Giselle at 43 and traces of Cuban artist in the heart of the dancers of that time and those who preceded them.

The evening program opened with the Theme and Variations, George Balanchine, he created it for the legendary dancer, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and this evening were in the leading roles Michele Wiles and Cory Stearns.

Argentina's Paloma Herrera and Cuban Jose Manuel Carreno, star of the dance group members, sustained applause of the public pulled the interpretation of the pas de deux Le Corsaire.

A great success was also the premiere on the Island of Seven Sonatas, created by the company's principal choreographer, Alexei Ratmanski and music by Domenico Scarlatti, cheered by the Karl Marx theater-goers, which was small to receive ABT 50 years after presentation in Cuba in 1960 with regard to the First International Ballet Festival of Havana.

Reserved for closing was the work Fancy Free, a work by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein, whose world premiere took place in 1944 at the Metropolitan Opera House.

During the function were projected fragments of ABT footage that goes into the work of Alicia, her approach to dance and her passion for dancing which she describes as a trip over things and people which in turn makes her being part of that environment.

In the words of the exalted self performer she said from the bottom of her heart she continues beeing a member of the American Ballet Theatre, and hopes that this visit will strengthen the understanding between the Cuban and American peoples.

The bow of the director of National Ballet of Cuba, beside José Manuel Carreño and ABT artistic director Kevin McKenzie, put an end to a memorable performance that will return this Thursday at the same stage.

The American Ballet Theatre returned to the stage in Cuba after 50 years to celebrate the 90th birthday of prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, who left her stamp on that company.

The company's performance in Havana's 5,000-seat Karl Marx Theatre was broadcasted live on Cuban television for the enjoyment of the entire country.

Among the nine principal dancers on stage are Cubans José Manuel Carreño and Xiomara Reyes, the latter returning to her native country after 14 years. Kevin McKenzie, ABT's artistic director, told that their visit to the island was the pay-off of a cultural debt, which aims to promote ties between the two countries.

"It is an honor to pay tribute in Cuba to Alicia Alonso, a substantial part of our group", he stated underlining a strong connection between his company and the National Ballet of Cuba.