Performances of the 28th International Ballet Festival Now Streaming

The final two performances of the 28th Alicia Alonso International Ballet Festival of Havana are now available to dance enthusiasts on the official YouTube channel of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC).

Both performances were filmed by the FVM Audiovisual and Cinematographic Creation Collective: Futura Video Música, with general production by Ángel Bermúdez and directed by Roberto Ravenna, as noted in a press release by the 28th Alicia Alonso International Ballet Festival Communications team.

Viewers can enjoy the Closing Gala, which was presented on Sunday, November 10. The program featured the ballet Carmen by Alberto Alonso, led by principal dancer Viengsay Valdés in the title role, along with Brazilian dancer Marcelo Gomes, Dani Hernández, and Ányelo Montero. The gala concluded with the premiere of Gitanerías, set to music by Ernesto Lecuona and choreographed and performed by Joaquín de Luz, who was joined by Viengsay Valdés and pianists Marcos Madrigal and Aldo López-Gavilán. Several renowned guest artists at the festival also performed in this final presentation.

The other available performance, held on Saturday, November 9, at the Martí Theater, includes appearances by Viengsay Valdés, Elisa Carrillo, Mikhail Kaniskin, Semyon Chudin, Maria Iliushkina, Joaquín de Luz, Patricia Donn, Marcelo Gomes, Ayaha Tsunaki, Joseph Gray, and dancers from the Colombian Ballet Company and the Ballet of the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas.

During this occasion, two works premiered: Ara, choreographed by Osnel Delgado with music by Cuban pianist and composer Aldo López-Gavilán, starring principal dancer Grettel Morejón and Osnel Delgado; and Folk Room by Norge Cedeño, performed by the Otrolado company. Also featured were pianists Marcos Madrigal, Aldo López-Gavilán, and Daniela Rivero, as well as Russian cellist and orchestra conductor Nikolay Shugaev, who performed The Dying Swan on cello.

The YouTube links are: https://youtu.be/s8Qa4Nftngw and https://youtu.be/B83yw8MrRIw

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez

Valsette (inspired by Nuestros Valses), featuring Viengsay Valdés (National Ballet of Cuba) and Felipe Vargas (Colombian Ballet Company, INCOLBALLET), with Marcos Madrigal on piano. Photo: National Ballet of Cuba on Facebook.