The National Folk Ensemble of Cuba presents its world premiere Comunidad

The Avellaneda Hall of the National Theater of Cuba will be the stage for the upcoming world premiere of the National Folk Ensemble of Cuba. It’s called «Comunidad» and will be performed from 3 to 5 May.

Based on songs, dances and rhythms of Bantu origin, the piece is inspired by the famous «Ciclo Congo» (a work premiered by the company in the early 1960s) and the story «Demonio sobre césped cortado» by the young Cuban playwright Taimí Diéguez.

The result of the Milanés Creation Prize awarded by the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS) and the creative mind of Leiván García Valle, Comunidad is a tribute to the first generations of this music and dance group, which is celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year.

The production brings back to the stage dances such as the palo, garabato, yuca, macuta and maní (which have rarely been revived in recent times), as well as the reappearance of the yuka drums, the instruments originally used in their performances.

In Comunidad, three of the most important figures in Cuban folk dance return to the stage: maestros Alfredo O’Farril, Johannes García, National Dance Prize, and Domingo Pao, who starred in the first Ciclo Congo productions and will now play the Tatas of the slave plantation alongside Carlos Orlando Pérez González (Peky).

But there are many other surprises in store for this premiere, created by dancer García Valle (Bara/2022). With his contemporary vision, he has once again teamed up with the renowned pianist Alejandro Falcón to provide the music for an important part of the show, which will also feature the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba and the National Choir of Cuba, conducted by Digna Guerra, winner of the National Music Prize.

The country’s most important symphonic ensemble, under the direction of maestro Alejandro Falcón, will perform a work in three movements inspired by the traditional music of the religious cult known in Cuba as Regla Palo-Monte, while the National Choir will reproduce the traditional songs of one of the Bantu groups known in Cuba as Yuka.

In the leading roles of Comunidad, prominent members of the legendary company lead a cast with proven performing skills and a commitment to Cuban popular and traditional culture.

This work will undoubtedly mark a turning point in the activities of Cuba’s most prestigious music and dance ensemble, committed to preserving the expressions of Cuban popular and traditional culture.

Source: Press/National Folklore Ensemble of Cuba.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez