The National Ballet of Cuba’s The Magic of Dance

Jan. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Revolutionary work from one of the world’s greatest classical ballet companies

Vancouver, BC - (January 20, 2012) – Fiery Latin passion and spectacular Russian technique will meet on February 3rd and 4th at the Royal Theatre in Victoria, when 35 members from the critically acclaimed National Ballet of Cuba present The Magic of Dance.

The specially-created mixed program consists of pas de deux and highlights from world famous ballet repertoire, including great classic ballets, such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Don Quixote. The performance will demonstrate the sheer bravura and technical prowess of the talented male and female dancers that make up this company that is rarely seen outside of Cuba.

The Magic of Dance is part of the National Ballet of Cuba’s debut and Western Canada tour, and includes stops in Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Banff and Chilliwack, before returning to Vancouver to join the full ensemble of 35 additional members for their Canadian premiere of Don Quixote at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Choreographed by the legendary Alicia Alonso from the original work by Marius Petipa, and set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, Don Quixote will stand as the ultimate memorial to David Y.H. Lui, Vancouver’s long-time impresario, who was working on this project when he passed away last September.

“David was so passionate about bringing the National Ballet of Cuba to Vancouver,” says Brent Belsher, his friend and business partner, who is now producing the performances on his own. “Don Quixote is the National Ballet of Cuba’s signature ballet.  No other company owns this piece as do the Cubans today. Seeing it on the stage is something extremely special and David wanted to bring the show to Vancouver audiences.”

MAGIC OF DANCE – Victoria
Where:    Royal Theatre
When:    February 3 & 4, 2012
Time:       7:30 pm
Tickets:    Contact Royal Theatre at 250-361-0800

Performances for Don Quixote will be held on February 16, 17 and 18 only at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. Tickets range from $47 to $97 (plus taxes and service charges) and are available at Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.ca, 1-855-985-ARTS(2787) or www.cubaballet.ca.

NOTE: These performances are not part of any other dance or ballet series being presented in Vancouver this season. Tickets for Don Quixote must be purchased separately.


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