24 replies to this topic

[Mark D]

Just got an announcement in the mail that Ballet Nacional de Cuba is coming to City Center Oct 15-19.  Two programs:

Program A:  

Don Quixote, Choreography by Alicia Alonso, Marta Garcia and Maria Elena Llorente after Petipa and Gorsky, Music by Minkus

Program B:  

Les Sylphides, Choreography by Alicia Alonso after Fokine, Music by Chopin;

Canto Vital, Choreography by Azari Plisetski, Music by Mahler;

Blood Wedding, Choreography by Antonio Gades, Music by Emilio de Diego, Libretto Alfredo Manas after Federico Garcia Lorca;

A Classic pas de deux to be announced.

[carbro]

:party:  Thanks, Mark!    I missed their last visit.  

[BW]

I just received this flyer in the mail yesterday. Planning to get tickets for Program B.

I have, of course, never seen them before but have seen a documentary on Ms. Alonso.

Haven't tried a search yet, but I'd be interested to hear what those of you who are familiar have to say about this company today. Thanks!

[Mark D]

I would be interested in what people think of the company as well.  We are debating getting tickets to Program B.

[carbro]

Mark, if you were able to see the recent PBS special on ABT's men, there are shots of BNC's school in Carreno's profile.  The discipline of the classroom is -- to judge from both the documentary and the company when last seen -- very strict,and the standards are very high.

Alonso has created a very accomplished company, and amazingly, with meager resources.  Her dancers have solid technique and unflinching conviction.  Acosta and Carreno may not be typical, but they are products of BNC.  The company also reflects what I assume to be the look of American ballet ca. 1961-2, when Alonso returned to her homeland for good.  There was input from the Bolshoi, but it's really been Alicia's show.

If you can go, you should.

[Paul Parish]

I agree with Carbro --

we've seen them twice in Berkeley, in Giselle and Coppellia ( both times I saw Lorna Feijoo, who's now a MAJOR reason to go see Boston ballet - -she was marvellous in both, and God knows, hte demands of hte roles are VERY different)

THey are a great company. They can't afford new shoes, but they sure can dance -- Rock-solid technique, and real ability as mimes.......

I'd definitely go. ANd their virtues are such that the 4th ring will have a good time......

[BW]

Thanks for your remarks - I'm going for Program B... and by the way Mark D if you do a search on them there are a number of threads dating back to 2001 - which may be their last time in the states??

[RachelsDream]

I would have to disagree that Acosta and Carreno are not typical products of the school. There are many dancers, male and female, of their caliber. I would say that Rolando Sarabia and Joel Carreno are on par with them, along with many others. I also think that Viengsay Valdes is one of the best female dancers (and turner) - and how could I forget Alihaydee Carreno? There are also other Cuban dancers dancing in other companies in the US that I think are amazing. While this is my opinion I think it to be a true one. You have to admire what Alicia Alonso has done. Those in NY are so lucky to see this company - also those in Boston who get to see Mr. Sarabia!

[silvy]

What can I say about the Cubans?? If you can go to their performances, please GO!! I saw their "Canto Vital" maybe back in 1986, and it was truly astounding: all male dancers dancing to the powerful music of Mahler, pretty spectacular choreography.

It is true that the standards are very high, but also that they are quite strict. I had occassion of taking class with a ballet mistress from the National Ballet of Cuba, and GOD, they were demanding!!! Their classes give TONS of leg power.  As far as corps de ballet work is concerned, never had I seen the national ballet of Uruguay in better shape as when it was directed by these Cuban lady.

I also had the privilege of participating in a summer intensive course taught by ballet masters of the Ballet of Cuba (headed by Laura Alonso - Alicia's daughther). This was in 1991. I ended up very strong indeed!! (I also saw Alicia herself teaching a master class that time)

However, when the NBC toured Uruguay around year 2000 you were able to notice that their shoes were not as pretty-looking as they should.  There are some "Caribbean" touches which I personally do not like very much, but that is a matter of taste, anyway

Lucky you there in the States, who are able to see them.


Silvy

[atm711]

I received the program today and will probably see both programs.  No one has mentioned that there is a 30% discount if tickets are ordered before Sept. 20, using a code they supplied in the brochure--$70. tickets go for $49; $50. are $35; and $35. are $24.50---Phew!!  I tried to order online using the code---but it was not accepted!- It is a letter code, and they say only a numerical code is acceptable.  Has anyone else had this happen?

[Mark D]

After all these rave reviews I'd be foolish not to go.  We are going to go to Program B.  I guess I'll avoid web site problems and go to the box office.

[Paul Parish]

Mark D and all y'all, I'd also get balcony seats for Don Q --

the Cubans in San Francisco, Lorena Feijoo and Joan Boada, who were both trained in Cuba, were unbelievably wonderful in SFB's recent production of DonQ. They really understood the style.

I never thought I'd think Don Qt was anything but a trashy riidiculous crowd-pleaser -- as it was I found myself thinking here was a new kind of ideal theater -- one of daylight and comedy rather than moonlight and tragedy, but really  magnificent in its way. ANd hte toughness of life in CUba -- if the Buena Vista Social Club is a guide, which is most of what I know -- the way hte spirit obviously has to rise above conditions of want and need just to keep the car in running order, was exactly what gave the lead couple their brio. And i thought Feijoo could be mentioned in the same breath as Plisetskaya and Terekhova.

I wouldn't miss their DOn Q -- to see a Kitri who's killed and plucked and broiled the chicken they had for dinner but NOT been ground down by the toughness of life; there was a blazing defiance in Feijoo that I'll never forget -- there was nothing mean about it, .

[nysusan]

Thanks everyone, for all the info - I've been debating whether to go to one performance or both since I got the flyer yesterday.  After reading all this glowing commentary I decided I couldn't order just one! I wasn't able to use the discount code on the website either but you can just call cititix at 212-581-1212.

[siu]

I am hoping someone will tell me if the Cuban National Ballet has any performances scheduled for the West Coast, since New York, Chicago and Florida are well out of may way. I have not seen them perform since 1983 and are curious to see them again. If you guys have the chance, see everything! Don Q I have not seen, but the other program is a wonderful way of seeing their versatility of styles all in one night. Pity they are not dancing Grand Pas de Quatre or their version of Sleeping Beauty.
Thanks to all
siu

[atm711]

Well!!  After all that I am happy to say I have my tickets.  I will be there Wednesday night and Sat. Mat.