Cuban National Ballet facts for kids
The Cuban National Ballet (in Spanish, Ballet Nacional de Cuba) is a famous classical ballet company. It is based in Havana, Cuba, at the Great Theatre of Havana. The company was started in 1948 by the amazing Cuban dancer, Alicia Alonso. The official school that trains dancers for the company is the Cuban National Ballet School.
Quick facts for kids Cuban National Ballet |
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| General information | |
| Name | Cuban National Ballet |
| Local name | Ballet Nacional de Cuba |
| Year founded | October 28, 1948 |
| Founders | Alicia Alonso Alberto Alonso Fernando Alonso |
| Principal venue | Great Theatre of Havana 458 Paseo de Prado esquina a San Rafael Havana Cuba |
| Website | www.balletcuba.cult.cu |
| Artistic staff | |
| Artistic Director | Viengsay Valdés |
| Resident Choreographers | Iván Tenorio Eduardo Blanco |
| Artistic Staff |
Ballet Masters
Loipa Araújo
Aurora Bosch María Elena Llorente Svetlana Ballester Carmen Hechavarría Ana Leyte Félix Rodríguez Mercedes Vergara Consuelo Domínguez Javier Sánchez Régisseurs
Ocilia Pedrera
Lydia Díaz Miguel Rodríguez Mijaela Tesleoanu Tamara Villareal |
| Other | |
| Associated schools | Cuban National Ballet School |
| Formation | Principal First Soloist Soloist Coryphee Corps de Ballet |
Contents
History of the Cuban National Ballet
The Cuban National Ballet was founded on October 28, 1948. It was started by Alicia Alonso, her husband Fernando, and Fernando's brother Alberto. At first, it was called Ballet Alicia Alonso.
In 1950, the Alicia Alonso Academy of Ballet school was created. This school helped train talented young Cuban dancers. By 1956, both the school and the ballet company were working together.
Before 1959, the Cuban ballet was very artistic but faced money problems. The government at that time did not provide funding. When Fidel Castro became the leader of Cuba in 1959, he wanted to make arts available to everyone.
With the new government, the ballet received state funding. This was a big change for the Cuban ballet. It became very important to the country's identity. In 1959, the company was reorganized and renamed the National Ballet of Cuba. With government support, Cuba's ballet program grew a lot. It even became as good as, or better than, some European ballet programs.
The company improved its traditional ballets. They also created new and unique dance pieces. These new works were seen as very creative in modern Cuban dance. The BNC has performed new versions of classic ballets. These include Giselle, Swan Lake, and Coppélia. They also perform works inspired by the Sergei Diaghilev Russian Ballets. Examples are Petrushka and Afternoon of a Faun. They also perform ballets created by Cuban choreographers.
Training Dancers in Cuba
After 1959, Alicia and Fernando Alonso used the government funding to set up a ballet school. The government still supports the Ballet Nacional today. This funding helps the Ballet find talented students from all over the country. They look for children with musicality and good body proportions. They also check if children can follow simple dance steps.
Cuba has a country-wide teaching organization called the Cuban National Ballet School. It is directed by Ramona de Saá. Dancers who trained there say it was very intense. They would dance for many hours each day. They also learned character dances, French, piano, music reading, folklore, and different historical dances. It was a very complete dance education.
The training system is still the same today. Both boys and girls are encouraged to try out. Parents now see that being a good dancer can lead to a good future. Students receive government support during their eight years of training. Everything is free. After training, a dancer earns about $30 a month. This is similar to what doctors or skilled workers earn in Cuba.
The National Ballet School trains about 40 new professional dancers each year. This follows the classical Soviet ballet system.
International Recognition
The Cuban National Ballet's versions of classic ballets are famous worldwide. They have performed in major theaters like the Paris Opera. They performed Giselle there. They also performed The Sleeping Beauty at the Grand Pas de Quarte. Other major theaters include the Vienna State Opera and the San Carlos of Naples. They have also performed at the Opera Prague and the Teatro alla Scala of Milan.
Besides performing a lot in Cuba, the National Ballet of Cuba also tours internationally. They visit countries in Europe, Asia, and America every year. They have won important awards, like the Grand Prix of the Ville of Paris. They also received the Order Félix Varela from Cuba. Critics often praise their performances. Many individual dancers have won awards in international competitions. This success reflects the vision of their founder, Alicia Alonso. The company has created over 600 dance works. They have performed in more than 60 countries around the world.
In 1998, for its 50th anniversary, Fidel Castro gave the ballet and Alicia Alonso a high award. It was called the Lazaro Pena Order.
Many dancers from the Cuban National Ballet have joined foreign ballet companies. This is a big opportunity because a top dancer's pay in Cuba is about $30 a month. Today, many American and British companies have former Cuban dancers as their main performers. For example, Lorna Feijoo and Nelson Madrigal dance with the Boston Ballet. Lorna's sister dances with the San Francisco Ballet. In 2004, Jose Manuel Carreno was the first Cuban to win the Dance Magazine award since Alicia Alonso won it in 1958.
The Ballet Today
Through the Ballet Nacional and its schools, Alicia and Fernando Alonso created a special Cuban dance style. They improved traditional ballets. They also encouraged new dance creations. These new works are considered important achievements in modern dance. Some of the first dancers from the school include Ernesto Alvarez and Joel Carreno.
Alicia Alonso continued to lead the Ballet Nacional even when she was very old and nearly blind. She gave her last performance in 1993 at age 72. After that, she still helped organize ballets like The Nutcracker. Her dedication continues to inspire Cuban ballet. The Cuban style reflects her influence without simply copying it.
The Cuban government under Fidel Castro aimed to help Cuban artists grow. It still supports dance education and performances. This government support shows how important dance is in Cuban society. Social dances are a part of everyday life there.
In January 2019, Alicia Alonso named dancer Viengsay Valdés as the deputy artistic director. Alicia Alonso was still the general director until she passed away in October 2019 at age 98. After her death, Viengsay Valdés became the artistic director.
Dance Education Programs
The Cuban National Ballet does a lot of intense work. It also has important educational programs. These programs help train and improve its dancers. The International Dance Program was started in March 1999. It was directed by Alicia Alonso. Its main goal is to teach students and visiting teachers the methods of the Cuban School of Ballet. It also teaches about the unique elements of Cuban ballet. The courses in this program offer official accreditation and hands-on experience.
Teachers and masters from the National Ballet of Cuba lead these programs. They share their knowledge of Cuban ballet techniques. They also teach about the unique style and beauty of Cuban dance. This style shows influences from Latin American culture, Ibero-America, and Caribbean roots. It combines these with classical ballet styles. The International Dance Program offers studies in many areas. These include Ballet, En pointe, Variations, Classic Duet, Modern Dance, dance history, music appreciation, physical preparation, acting, and Make-up.
Courses for International Students
The National Ballet offers ballet courses to students from other countries. The International Dance Program is for professionals and advanced students. It teaches the technique, style, and ideas of the Cuban School of Ballet. The length of these courses can change. They can also start at any time of the year. The basic program includes classes in Ballet, En pointe, and physical preparation. Special programs can also be made for qualified professionals and students.
See also
- History of ballet
- Prodanza Ballet Academy
