Cuban version of Swan Lake to 'dust off the classics'

The Cuban National Ballet's "Swan Lake" will meet Shanghai audiences on June 20, combining classical elegance with Latin American enthusiasm.

In the 1960s, ballet built a bridge of friendship for cultural exchanges between China and Cuba.

In 1961, the Cuban National Ballet visited China for the first time and was received by then Premier Zhou Enlai. In 1964, Alicia Alonso, the founder of the Cuban National Ballet and a ballet legend of the Caribbean island country, came to China again and was received by Chairman Mao Zedong.

Alonso led the troupe to China for two more visits in 2002 and 2004. This Cuban "ballet godmother" is a top figure in the field of classical ballet in Latin American culture; honored by some as "the best Giselle of the 20th century".

The Cuban National Ballet was founded in 1948. It is rooted in Russian classical ballet, and Alonso added passionate and unrestrained folk dance elements to the troupe's choreography.

Alonso took "dusting off the classics" as her creative concept. While retaining the classic charm of Tchaikovsky's music, she enhanced the dance technique and drama, incorporating Cuban national costume design to present a unique version of "Swan Lake".

This year marks with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba. "Swan Lake" will be staged at Shanghai Poly Grand Theater. Students and Poly Grand Theater members with birthdays in June can enjoy discounts.

Performance info

Dates: June 20, 7:30pm

Tickets: 80-780 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Poly Grand Theater 上海保利大剧院

Address: 159 Baiyin Road, Jiading District 嘉定区白银路159号