A Ballet Gentleman Again in Havana

The famous and award-winning English choreographer Ben Stevenson, one of the world's leading ballet figures, returns to Havana (a city he visited a few years ago at the invitation of his friend Carlos Acosta) at the head of a work team, in order to prepare a program of his works that to be performed by the National Ballet of Cuba and that will commemorate 120 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Cuba and the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

It's another of the efforts of the company directed by Viengsay Valdés to diversify their repertoire, inviting creators of dissimilar origins, trainings, and styles.

In this case, it’s about a man who has made remarkable contributions to the aesthetics of contemporary ballet, and who has been a mentor and teacher to several international dance stars.

From June 10-19, the Cuban company will present a season in the Avellaneda room of the National Theater, as a tribute to Stevenson.

For the occasion, the choreographer has specially created a work to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the reign of Elizabeth II, which will be included in a program made up of his renowned version of the Esmeralda pas de deux, Three Preludes and Requiem, a piece on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem.

A note released by the company adds that Ben Stevenson (currently director of the Texas Ballet Theater) will be accompanied by Kathryn Warakomsky-Li, associate director of the Texas Ballet Theater School; Li Anlin, assistant artistic director, and dancers Valentín Batista, David Schrenk and Henry Winn, who will also perform as guest artists of the Cuban National Ballet.

Due to his relevant artistic career, Stevenson is an Officer of the British Empire.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff