NMD Opens Expo of Cuban Dance Heritage - The Daily Planet Arthur

Alicia Alonso with Jorge Esquivel in Act II of Giselle, National Ballet of Cuba. Photograph ©Beverly Gallegos

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Kicking off an exploration of Cuban Ballet and its founder Alicia Alonso, the National Museum of Dance hosted a welcome reception and “Alicia Alonso’s Giselle” photo exhibition on Tuesday, May 22.

The exhibit was augmented by an introductory, from the heart, at times emotional greeting by Octavio Roca – the foremost authority on Cuban ballet, and renowned dance historian and music and dance critic.

This exhibit opening was the first in a series of events to promote the debut appearance of the National Ballet of Cuba at SPAC. There could be no finer spokesperson and ambassador than Mr. Roca, who honestly had the gathering so enthralled that it was remarkable to experience.

The photo exhibit itself is stunning: A historic wonder in Black + White. Here are a few examples:

The iconic role of Giselle is synonymous with Cuban prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso. Upon her arrival at American Ballet Theatre in New York in 1943 at age twenty-three, she made her debut as Giselle, thrilling audiences with her exceptional artistry and virtuosity of technique. She remarkably performed this role into her sixties and danced with companies around the world including the Paris Opera Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet.
Studio portrait of Alicia Alonso costumed for Act II of Giselle. Photograph taken by renowned German-Argentinian portrait photographer Annemarie Heinrich in Buenos Aires. Photograph ©Annemarie Heinrich

Alicia Alonso with Jorge Esquivel in the madness scene, Act I of Giselle, National Ballet of Cuba. Photograph ©National Museum of the Dance, Havana, Cuba

The year 2018 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of Alicia Alonso’s widely acclaimed debut in the role of Giselle. To honor this occasion, and the seventieth anniversary of the National Ballet of Cuba, Ms. Alonso will travel with the company to Washington, DC for its performances at The Kennedy Center in May and June 2018.
Alicia Alonso receiving an ovation after being honored with a laurel wreath by Anton Dolin, her first Albrecht, at the thirty-fifth anniversary gala performance celebrating her 1943 debut in Giselle, Gran Teatro de La Habana, 1978. Photograph ©Ramiro Morales

Nearly blind since 1941, Alicia Alonso danced the role of Giselle with American Ballet Theatre for five years, founding National Ballet of Cuba in 1948 and staging Giselle for her company that year. Giselle has remained a cornerstone of National Ballet of Cuba’s repertory for seventy years and is one of the world’s most beloved interpretations of this quintessential romantic ballet.
Alicia Alonso with Anton Dolin as Albrecht in her debut in the role of Giselle, American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera House, New York, NY, November 2, 1943. Photograph ©Fred Feh

National Ballet of Cuba will make its first appearance at Saratoga Performing Arts Center as one of just four U.S. locations on its tour and only visit to New York State for three performances of story ballet Giselle on June 6, 7 and 8, presented in partnership with Skidmore College.Visit spac.org for details

The National Museum of Dance is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Admission is free on Tuesdays. For more information about the National Museum of Dance and School of the Arts visit dancemuseum.org or call 518-584-2225.

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