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)

Havana Ballet Festival to Feature World-Class Dancers, Companies

Some World-famous ballet dancers and companies from 18 countries are expected at the 22nd Havana Ballet Festival, which will celebrate the 90th birthday of Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso.

From October 28 to November 7, our capital will host a fiesta of ballet, with visitors like the American Ballet Theater, which is returning to Cuba after 40 years, and figures such as Russians Vladimir Vasiliev and Vladimir Malakhov from the Berlin Opera, and Spaniard Tamara Rojo.

This is a great festival, unlike any other in the world and which has been growing; it is almost a record, Alonso said.

The 2010 festival will be marked by something very special: The Year of Alicia Alonso, which the Culture Ministry is to declare as a tribute for her 90th birthday.

About 30 performances are scheduled, 12 of them world premiers, such as El Amor Brujo by Spaniard dancer Antonio Rios (El Pipa); Le papillon, by Canadian Peter Quanzm, and El perfume, by Belgian Luc Bouy.

Invitees include the New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet of London, the English National Ballet, the Ballet of the Opera of Berlín, the Colon Ballet Theater of Argentina, and the Opera of Dresden, Germany.

For its return to Cuba, the American Ballet Theater will dedicate two shows to Alonso, who was a first figure with that company.

Soloists such as José Manuel Carreño, Herman Cornejo and Paloma Herrera will also honor her with their performances.

This festival is not only one of the oldest in the world but an important event in Cuban culture.

Since its foundation, Cuba has been visited by 53 companies and personalities from 61 countries, with 880 performances and 219 world premieres.