Ballet Diplomacy

[Downwinder]

Written by Andy Turner
Friday, 16 October 2009

The Washington Ballet debuted a fantastic production of Don Quixote at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts this week. The highlight was an awe inspiring performance by Viengsay Valdés, the Primera Bailarina of the Ballet Nacionál de Cuba. Ms. Valdés, a product of Cuba’s world renowned ballet schools, played the lead role of Kitri in a spectacular rendition of Cervantes’ classic Spanish novel. Many in the crowd didn’t even know about the special guest, who tip-toed into DC almost unnoticed. But the audience adored the Cuban ballerina and interrupted the show frequently with extended applause. And out came Cuban flags with the endless standing ovation for such a rare and delightful performance.

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[Judi Lynn]

1. This would have NEVER HAPPENED during the Bush reign of terror!

WHAT A WAY TO CELEBRATE a new beginning, with a human being in the White House.

Here is the website of Ballet Nacional de Cuba:
http://www.balletcuba.cult.cu/

Here's Carlos Acosta, formerly with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, who's currently with the British Royal Ballet.

http://www.nationaldanceawards.com.nyud.net:8090/images/photo/at_kirov_acteon_acosta_jump_390.jpg

http://img.dailymail.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/i/pix/2007/10_03/CarlosAcosta_468x410.jpg

http://www.ballet.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/albums/jr_bolshoi_spartacus_coliseum_0807/jr_spartacus_acosta_split_500_90.jpg

http://www.ballet.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/images/acosta/jr_corsaire_carlos_acosta_viengsay_valdes_spinning_500.jpg

Carlos Acosta with Viengsay Valdés, guest in Washington last week, and Primera Bailarina of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

http://www.cmbfradio.cu.nyud.net:8090/imagenes/bellet_danza/viengsay_valdes.jpg http://www.cubaheadlines.com.nyud.net:8090/files/cubaheadlines.com/imagenes/Viengsay_Valdes.jpg http://www.dancer.com.nyud.net:8090/u_media/ViengsayValdesKitriJumpFullSize.jpg

http://www.ballerinagallery.com.nyud.net:8090/pic/valdes01.jpg http://www.lajiribilla.co.cu.nyud.net:8090/2005/n239_12/ballet/1_01.jpg http://danzahoy.com.nyud.net:8090/pages/members/71/imagenes/actualidad/05.jpg

[silverweb]

2. That's the truth!

Thank you for the gorgeous pictures.

K&R.

[flamingdem]

3. que belleza! nt