travelswithalice

April 25, 2016

Swan Lake at Ballet Nacional de Cuba

At the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

A ballet staple from the 19th century, Swan Lake perfectly showcases this legendary company's strictly classical style: a style that many ballet enthusiasts consider old fashioned. Under the direction of indefatigable Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso, now 94 and nearly totally blind, the company maintains a reputation for preternatural excellence and rigorous discipline.

The fact that this performance was superb is no great surprise; much is now known and expected of this ballet company. The surprise was in the flamboyance of the costumes. I remember a more austere production in 2010 when the adored Alonso sat in what would normally be the royal box, graciously acknowledging the wild cheers of her public.

I loved being there, fortunate to have seen this renowned company twice. And in their home theater too!

Sadaise Arencibia, the company's star principal dancer danced up a storm. I was transfixed as I scrutinized her every unbelievably precise leg, arm, and neck movement, her face intensely expressive and glistening with sweat. She was a heartbreakingly beautiful Odette and a hateful and technically brilliant Odile.

We were seated across the aisle from two lone front seats on the right, where sat the principal male dancer's parents. I'm guessing, but only a proud father would have unashamedly bellowed "Bravo Raúl!" (for Raúl Abreu) at the dancer's every appearance, unmindful of the amused stares of everyone around him.