The National Ballet of Cuba prepares to honor the enduring legacy of prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso through a special performance of the classic ballet “Don Quixote” this Sunday. Principal dancers Anette Delgado and Dani Hernández will assume the leading roles in this commemorative production that celebrates Alonso’s monumental contributions to Cuban cultural heritage.
Alonso’s extraordinary journey in dance encompassed multiple dimensions: initial rigorous training that established her as a respected ballerina, subsequent development of a distinctive artistic style, and ultimately the permanent integration of ballet into Cuba’s cultural identity. Her vision transformed ballet from an elite art form into an essential component of Cuban cultural expression.
Seventy-seven years ago, Alonso collaborated with her brothers Fernando Alonso, an extraordinary teacher, and Alberto Alonso, a renowned choreographer, to establish Cuba’s first professional ballet company. This pioneering achievement occurred during an era when ballet remained largely unfamiliar and underappreciated throughout Latin American societies.
Throughout her career, Alonso demonstrated remarkable resilience by overcoming substantial social, political, and health-related challenges. Her determination and courage enabled her to elevate both her personal artistic stature and the broader recognition of ballet as a legitimate art form in Cuba.
Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Alonso actively supported cultural democratization initiatives that brought ballet beyond traditional theater settings. She championed the accessibility of ballet performances in unconventional venues including factories, agricultural fields, forests, valleys, and public streets, effectively breaking down bourgeois prejudices and making high art available to ordinary citizens.