International ballet sensation, the National Ballet of Cuba, will bring their exuberant and highly individual style of classical ballet to Australia for an exclusive Brisbane season 24 September to 3 October. The Company will present their acclaimed production of Don Quixote.
Choreographed by company founder Alicia Alonso and based on the original by Marius Petipa, this Cuban version of Don Quixote has been acclaimed by critics and audiences world wide. Of special note in this production is the serious and dignified treatment of the title character. In other versions of this three-act classic the character has been minimised, without demonstrating his true relevance as a title role.
Over the past decade the National Ballet of Cuba has emerged as one of the world's great dance companies. Their international touring schedule has included triumphant appearances in Washington, Paris, Beijing, Athens, New York and Tokyo - the 80 dancers have toured in more than 58 countries, drawing from their vast repertory of both the classics and modern ballets.
The Ballet Nacional de Cuba was founded in 1948 by Alicia Alonso. Prima Ballerina Assoluta and Artistic Director of the Company, Alonso is one of the most significant personalities in the history of dance and is the most celebrated figure in Latin American ballet.
Choreographed by Alonso, and based on the original by Marius Petipa, this Cuban version of Don Quixote has been acclaimed by worldwide critics and by the public, due to the serious and dignified treatment given to the title character.
"The Cubans are famously a company of virtuosos and wherever you look on stage there were other star turns" The Guardian
"Technical fireworks with brilliant charm and awesome ease" Daily Telegraph, UK
"Thanks to Alonso Cubans have become stars around the world" Times Online, UK
"Alonso is a living legend. She is one of the most important pioneers in 20th century dance" Times Online, UK
"The Ballet Nacional de Cuba combines rigour with exuberant gusto: sharp footwork, soaring jumps, energy to burn" The Independent, UK
"Ballet Nacional de Cuba - to die for" Express, UK
"Cuban men, in particular, bring a joyful flair to ballet that is comparable with the Brazilian genius for football." The Observer
"Brilliant dancers seem to be the norm in the Ballet Nacional de Cuba which regularly produces international stars" New York Times
"There is Cuban joie de vivre and sensuality, but equally musicality and academic precision." The Independent
"...the ovation was rightly overwhelming." The Independent
"Again the interpretation of Cuban dancers tore ovations and shouts of Bravo!" ABC, Madrid
"Like Cuba itself, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, which Alonso founded and still rules, is utterly distinctive: it fields world-class dancers at the same time as remaining culturally isolated from the wider ballet world." The Guardian, UK