Dale Posted May 6, 2010 Share Posted May 6, 2010 ALICIA ALONSO TO CELEBRATE 90TH BIRTHDAY WITH AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE, THURSDAY, JUNE 3 AT METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE Alicia Alonso, legendary ballerina and director of National Ballet of Cuba, will celebrate her 90th birthday with American Ballet Theatre on Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 P.M. at the Metropolitan Opera House, it was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. The birthday celebration, part of ABT’s 70th Anniversary season at the Met, will include a film retrospective of Alonso’s career and a special performance of Don Quixote featuring three Principal casts. Famed Cuban dancer, Alicia Alonso joined American Ballet Theatre in 1941. After returning to Cuba for a time, Alonso rejoined ABT in 1943 and was promoted to Principal Dancer with the Company in 1946. Alonso’s career with ABT was acclaimed for her interpretation of Giselle. She also starred in the World Premieres of ABT’s most critically hailed works, including George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations (1947), Antony Tudor’s Undertow (1945) and as The Accused in Agnes de Mille’s Fall River Legend (1948). Alonso founded her own company, the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company in 1948, which became the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1959 with support of the Cuban government. In 1960, Alonso formed the Cuban National Ballet School. Both the company and the school continue to operate under her direction. Tickets for Alicia Alonso’s 90th birthday celebration at the Metropolitan Opera House, priced $25-$111, are available online, at the Met box office or by phone at 212-362-6000. The Metropolitan Opera House is located on Broadway between 64th and 65th Streets in New York City. For more information, visit ABT’s website at www.abt.org. Link to comment
cubanmiamiboy Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Looking forward to be there tomorrow night...! I'm flying in a few hours. Alicia Alonso, Marjorie Tallchief, Barbara Fallis and Andre Eglevski in "Apollo". http://www.danzaballet.com/UserFiles/Image...00Scan10001.jpg Link to comment
Natalia Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Me too! Just found out that a work-related trip has been postponed, so I've rallied to get myself to NYC for this special occasion. I'm preparing my throat for some Cuban-style cheering...all for Mme!!! Link to comment
CM Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Arte Spain shows some photos from an accompanying exhibition dedicated to Alicia Alonso http://www.artespain.com/03-06-2010/notici...n-alicia-alonso Link to comment
papeetepatrick Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Happy Birthday, Mme. Alonso! I think it's great that you are all going, and am sure it will be a grand occasion. I still love those clips leonid put up a few weeks ago, of La Fille Mal Gardee and Odile. Link to comment
leonid17 Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Happy Birthday, Mme. Alonso! I think it's great that you are all going, and am sure it will be a grand occasion. I still love those clips leonid put up a few weeks ago, of La Fille Mal Gardee and Odile. I have watched them a number of times and like you I still have absolute admiration for Mme Alonso. In this youtube clip that Cristian posted, she remains extraordinary no matter her age(65). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm1Frz5jlFs I think it is wonderful that she will celebrate her birthday with ABT. Link to comment
CM Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 All the clips are lovely. There's a very nice tribute on Youtube re Alicia Alonso and Giselle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGKN72qjbi8. (The 1963 film was the first time that I saw the inside of Giselle's house - I think it showed a kitchen with lots of pots and pans) Wishing I was there tonight and looking forward to reading the reports Link to comment
abatt Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 The Alonso Tribute was a great evening. I loved the film they showed before the show. From where I was seated, I could not see Ms. Alonso in the Parterre box when McKenzie pointed to her after the film ended. Marcelo Gomes was fantastic last night. Effortless jumps and joy that radiated throughout the sold out auditorium. I don't think he has ever danced the lead in Don Q at the MET, has he? He must be cast in thie lead the next time they bring back Don Q., although I would miss his Espada. Paloma looked a bit lethargic. She was more exciting in the role last Friday with Angel. Herman Cornejo and Simkin (as the gypsy again) were thrilling. They are both brilliant technicians, and they were almost challenging each other step for step to see who could jump the highest and spin the fastest. Reyes was lovely in the Vision Scene. Carreno looked much better in the last act last night than he did on Tues. That is understandable, since each lead dancer was only dancing one act. Osipova again was a marvel, although her full length Kitri was much more satisfying. Veronika Part was a fiery Mercedes and a graceful, lyrical Dryad Queen. I completely agree with everyone else who remarked that Sarah Lane OWNS Amour. Link to comment
Natalia Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 The Quickie Report Back at work in DC, straight from 6am flight from NYC. What a lovely performance & tribute to the Great Lady! It's hard to tell what was best -- the three sets of soloists in the Don Q production or Mme Alonso being escorted to center-stage at the end, on the arms of Jose-Manuel Carreno and Kevin McKenzie. I had the time of my life shouting my head off with "Brava! Alicia!" from the moment that she appeared. [Most of us who could not easily see her sitting in the center-parterre box during Mckenzie's pre-performance Introduction Applause-Moment were grateful that she made an appearance on the stage.] The performance was superb, for the most part, with all three sets of leading soloists shining. In Act I, Herrera was spiffy but, dare I say, she was outshined by her Basil, the magnetic Marcello Gomes. Reyes and Cornejo danced Act II Kitri/Basil with panache although Reyes, to me, doesn't quite command a stage. In Act III, Osipova's fireworks brought down the house, partnered by the gallant Carreno, who still produces those spectacular slow pirouettes that seem to float at the end, perfectly centered. Amazingly, the Latin Ballerina Fire was most evident in the Russian last night, Osipova being the closest in style and spirit to the lady being honored. The featured soloists all performed commendably, with Danil' Simkin's Gypsy garnering the loudest praise with his high-flying antics (but which, alas, strays far from the Gypsy dances of the Kirov or Bolshoi...more circus than gypsy camp). Part was her gorgeous self as Mercedes/DryadQueen/Fandango lead. Lane was spot-on as Amour. Kajiya was gorgeous in her bridesmaid solo in Act III. My only complaint: the bored-seeming and dull-dancing corps de ballet, especially in Act I. It's as if the village had been pumped with sleeping gas. And it was an underpopulated village at that; ABT's budget for supernumeraries must be way down. Alonso was the Queen of the Evening. Happy Birthday! p.s. It was great seeing Jack Reed, nysusan, carbro, rg, and cubanmiamiboy (and his Miami friend!) at different points during the evening. Link to comment
papeetepatrick Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 The Quickie ReportAlonso was the Queen of the Evening. Happy Birthday! p.s. It was great seeing Jack Reed, nysusan, carbro, rg, and cubanmiamiboy (and his Miami friend!) at different points during the evening. Well, that's all very nice, Natalia, but at least I got to see CUBANMIAMIBOY in Central Park for THREE HOURS, and we had a fine time drinking, eating and generally living up to our reputations as EXEMPLARY BTers! But I do wish I had gotten to this, and leonid's mentioning Alicia at 65 made me remember seeing her 'Carmen' when she was about 60, and yes, that was very magnetic. Link to comment
cubanmiamiboy Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 Back in fantasy land! Well, my friends...what could I add to all your great reviews of this MAGICAL night... I just want to say out loud that I truly felt like I was back in Havana. I mean...the packed house...the many young members of the audience, the screaming, the AMAZING company with those AMAZING dancers...the beautiful orchestra...the daring choreography...wow...you new yorkers are really lucky to have the REAL stuff. It was great to see many of you guys again at the theatre...!-(Natalia, Jack, Susan)-...and also to get to meet some others-(carbro, abby-(JUST EDITED THIS, DUE TO MY LACK OF ACCURACY ABOUT SOME POSTERS' NAMES...I MEAN ...KFW JUST POSTED THAT HE WAS NEVER THERE! ) ...AND also those whom I missed in the middle of the whole confusion-(bingham and vrsfanatic). I also ran into some Cuban friends from Miami, who also decided to make the trip to pay their respect to our dancing diva. Special thanks to Patrick for the lovely picnic at Central Park, where we did some little gossiping, drank some wine and ate some great cuban sandwiches-(those were great, Patrick...and the other half was my dinner that same night...! ) And yes...Mme. coming onstage post performance...right when I had lost all my hopes that that would ever happen and was already starting to walk out. I must confess I got emotional when I saw her. Well...I lost my voice from all the bravos I sent from all the way up where I was. A little story. Next to me there was a Cuban lady-(I would say in her late 60's)- also screaming and cheering. When I looked at her, me all emotional, I noticed she was weeping. And then we had a little dialogue. -"I never thought I was going to see her ever again. Last time I saw her dancing she was still doing some excerpts from "Giselle". -When was that?, she asked me. -In 1991, I responded. -Well...I also saw her dancing the last time in Havana...and also thought that I would never see her again either. -when did that happened...?, I then asked her. -In 1961." ...so then we went back to the Bravos. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MME..!!! Link to comment
Paul Parish Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 She is FABULOUS in this clip. her variation is just astounding... Happy Birthday, Mme. Alonso! I think it's great that you are all going, and am sure it will be a grand occasion. I still love those clips leonid put up a few weeks ago, of La Fille Mal Gardee and Odile. I have watched them a number of times and like you I still have absolute admiration for Mme Alonso. In this youtube clip that Cristian posted, she remains extraordinary no matter her age(65). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm1Frz5jlFs I think it is wonderful that she will celebrate her birthday with ABT. Link to comment
Paul Parish Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 -In 1961." o my Lord. It must have been a great night for yu, Christian. I'm so glad you were able to be there. Back in fantasy land!Well, my friends...what could I add to all your great reviews of this MAGICAL night... I just want to say out loud that I truly felt like I was back in Havana. I mean...the packed house...the many young members of the audience, the screaming, the AMAZING company with those AMAZING dancers...the beautiful orchestra...the daring choreography...wow...you new yorkers are really lucky to have the REAL stuff. It was great to see many of you guys again at the theatre...!-(Natalia, Jack, Susan)-...and also to get to meet some others-(carbro, kfw, abby)...AND also those whom I missed in the middle of the whole confusion-(bingham and vrsfanatic). I also ran into some Cuban friends from Miami, who also decided to make the trip to pay their respect to our dancing diva. Special thanks to Patrick for the lovely picnic at Central Park, where we did some little gossiping, drank some wine and ate some great cuban sandwiches-(those were great, Patrick...and the other half was my dinner that same night...! ) And yes...Mme. coming onstage post performance...right when I had lost all my hopes that that would ever happen and was already starting to walk out. I must confess I got emotional when I saw her. Well...I lost my voice from all the bravos I sent from all the way up where I was. A little story. Next to me there was a Cuban lady-(I would say in her late 60's)- also screaming and cheering. When I looked at her, me all emotional, I noticed she was weeping. And then we had a little dialogue. -"I never thought I was going to see her ever again. Last time I saw her dancing she was still doing some excerpts from "Giselle". -When was that?, she asked me. -In 1991, I responded. -Well...I also saw her dancing the last time in Havana...and also thought that I would never see her again either. -when did that happened...?, I then asked her. -In 1961." ...so then we went back to the Bravos. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MME..!!! Link to comment
leonid17 Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 Here in London it is a joy to read all your comments about the evening and so nice to hear about your get togethers. I truly envy your moments and would have loved to have been there. So much symbolism. I consider it was privilege to see have seen her both dance and teach. God Bless Alicia Alonco a true servant of the dance. Link to comment
kfw Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 It was great to see many of you guys again at the theatre...!-(Natalia, Jack, Susan)-...and also to get to meet some others-(carbro, kfw, abby)... I'm so happy you could make it up to Lincoln Center for your beloved Mme. Alonso, cubanmiamiboy. It sounds like a very memorable night. To the best of my own memory, however . . . I wasn't there! Link to comment
cubanmiamiboy Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 It was great to see many of you guys again at the theatre...!-(Natalia, Jack, Susan)-...and also to get to meet some others-(carbro, kfw, abby)... I'm so happy you could make it up to Lincoln Center for your beloved Mme. Alonso, cubanmiamiboy. It sounds like a very memorable night. To the best of my own memory, however . . . I wasn't there! OMG, OMG...! I truly apologize for my mistake :blush: :blush: -(well...I'm famous for my sense of disorientation). So NYSusan, or Carbro...help me out here...who was the poster-(a guy)- that came with Susan and introduced himself then, right when I was chatting with carbro...? (I would have SWORN that that's the screen name I heard...but then I lost him and didn't see him afterward). Then I wonder if I also got Abby's name wrong too... :blush: Link to comment
kfw Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 OMG, OMG...! I truly apologize for my mistake :blush: :blush: No apology necessary, I should be thanking you. :blush: Some day when I'm old and addled, I'll have imaginary memories of a wonderful night at the ballet! Link to comment
nysusan Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 It was great to see many of you guys again at the theatre...!-(Natalia, Jack, Susan)-...and also to get to meet some others-(carbro, kfw, abby)... I'm so happy you could make it up to Lincoln Center for your beloved Mme. Alonso, cubanmiamiboy. It sounds like a very memorable night. To the best of my own memory, however . . . I wasn't there! OMG, OMG...! I truly apologize for my mistake :blush: :blush: -(well...I'm famous for my sense of disorientation). So NYSusan, or Carbro...help me out here...who was the poster-(a guy)- that came with Susan and introduced himself then, right when I was chatting with carbro...? (I would have SWORN that that's the screen name I heard...but then I lost him and didn't see him afterward). Then I wonder if I also got Abby's name wrong too... :blush: Cristian, there were SO MANY BT'ers at ABT that night! Are you talking about FauxPas? I believe he was chatting with us for awhile during the 2nd intermission when you were on the concession line with Carbro, but there were so many people there, I'm not sure who you're thinking about... Also - I don't know Abby, is she another BT poster or are you thinking of abatt? It was great to see you, Jack and Natalia (along with all the regulars) and I'm sorry I missed Patrick ,bingham, vrsfanatic and any other BT'ers who were there! It was, however, a great night and it was so good to see you and all the regulars up in the Balcony/Family Circle. All the ABT Kitri/Basilio combinations were wonderful and Simkin & (especially) Part were just icing on the cake as the lead gypsy and Mercedes/Dryad Queen. I was so glad to see Madame Alonso in her Parterre box, and then on stage taking in the adoration of the crowd. I've seen some of the videos of her in her early days but only saw her dance live once, with ABT at one of their galas in the mid seventies when she was already in her mid fifties. My memory of the night is a bit fuzzy, but my recollection is that she performed the 2ND act Giselle pdd, and even in her fifties, she was quite something to behold. It was wonderful to be able to see her again, and to be even a small part of her 90th birthday celebration! Link to comment
abatt Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I think cubanmiamiboy meant Abatt, not abby. There was a lot of noise, so he may not have been able to hear everything. Anyway, nice to finally meet you cubanmiamiboy. Check out the NY Times review of Osipova in yesterday's paper (in the "Links" section). Macauley was as smitten with her as we are. Link to comment
papeetepatrick Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Check out the NY Times review of Osipova in yesterday's paper (in the "Links" section). Macauley was as smitten with her as we are. That review is why I went and read the whole Don Q/Osipova thread. I don't think I ever read more of a rave, but didn't post it because I was pretty sure it already had been. Would I ever like to see her! She sounds like something brand-new, like some new variety of comet. Link to comment
cubanmiamiboy Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Cristian, there were SO MANY BT'ers at ABT that night! Are you talking about FauxPas? I believe he was chatting with us for awhile during the 2nd intermission when you were on the concession line with Carbro, YES! ...and... I think cubanmiamiboy meant Abatt, not abby. There was a lot of noise, so he may not have been able to hear everything. Anyway, nice to finally meet you cubanmiamiboy. YES! ...AND MY SINCERE APOLOGIES FOR THE MISTAKES...yes, it was the noise plus my premature Alzheimer. :blush: And nice to meet all of you guys! Link to comment
Recommended Posts