Cuba's National Ballet shines in Italy

HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 24 (ACN) The Teatro Moderno of the Italian city of Grosetto in Tuscany hosted a performance by the director of the National Ballet of Cuba (BNC), Viengsay Valdés, and Anyelo Montero, its main dancer.

The mayor of Grosetto, Antonfrancesco Vivarelli, said that his city welcomed "with great enthusiasm" the Great Gala of Ballet Stars in a “unique show” with relevant BNC figures.

"The event has great cultural value," said the promoter of the event, Debora Ferretti, who pointed out that the presentations "give prestige to the city" because "never before in the history of dance had Grosseto boasted such a highly artistic performance."

Viengsay Valdés and Ányelo Montero will perform selections from Alberto Alonso's ballet Carmen, as well as a pas de deux from Love Fear Loss, a ballet choreographed by the Brazilian Ricardo Amarante inspired by the life of French singer Edith Piaff.

In addition to the Cuban dancers, the gala will feature other renowned figures, including Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov, from the Royal Ballet of London, as well as Elisa Carrillo and Mikhail Kaniski, from the Staats Ballet Opera Berlin.

"It is the first time I will dance in Grosseto. It is a great responsibility and an opportunity to interact with dancers from all over the world," remarked Viengsay Valdés, who will also give a workshop on the Cuban method to a selected group of students from European ballet schools.