Cuba's National Ballet to pay tribute to Fidel Castro

Cuba's National Ballet (BNC) will pay tribute this Thursday to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, with a gala that will also be dedicated to health workers.

Fidel provided an unconditional support to the company since the Revolution triumphed in 1959, and maintained a close friendly relationship with Cuban prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso.

After almost 10 months out of stages, the company, led by prima ballerina Viengsay Valdes, will perform at the Alicia Alonso Gran Teatro in Havana, from November 26 to 29, with a concert program of historic pieces.

Those attending the theater during the first three days will appreciate the 'Grand pas de quatre,' 'The Dying Swan', the pas de deux of 'The Magic Flute', 'Prologue to a tragedy', 'Muto,' 'Step to Three', 'The River and the Forest' and 'Tribute to Jose White'.

Meanwhile, the BNC will pay a tribute gala to choreographer Alberto Mendez on November 29, in celebration of his 50 years as a creator.

This time, the company declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation, plans to perform fragments of several Mendez' pieces, among them, 'A scene' (Grand pas), 'Waltz', 'Afternoon siesta' (coda), 'The River and the Forest', 'Muto,' 'Rara Avis' (3rd. movement) and 'Dolls'.

The main roles of the performances will be by Anette Delgado, Sadaise Arencibia, Grettel Morejon, Ginett Moncho, Claudia Garcia, Chanell Cabrera, Ely Regina, Katherine Ochoa, Chavela Riera, Daniela Gomez, Dani Hernandez, Rafael Quendit, Yankiel Vazquez, Adrian Sanchez, Diego Tapanes and Narciso Medina, among other dancers.

These performances join the multiple tributes to Alicia Alonso, on occasion of the 100th anniversary of her birth.