The World Stars of Classical Ballet Gala held at the Antonio Paoli Festival Hall of the Fine Arts Center of Puerto Rico was a critical and commercial success.
For one night some of the greatest luminaries of classical dance in the world met on the Caribbean island to compose an unprecedented spectacle. Such actions seek to exploit a flowering of interest in dance of the Puerto Ricans to develop this art locally and projecting it outward.
Guest artists included Cuban Viengsay Valdes, prima ballerina of the National Ballet of Cuba and Adiarys Almeida, Principal Guest Dancer of San Francisco Ballet.
“These galas allow the public to appreciate the different schools and styles of world dance, as well as motivating and inspiring younger generations of dancers and enable the dissemination of this art without borders. It also brings together in one night dancers recognized as stars in the world of dance and allows in their busy schedules to be achieved together all in one night, leading to an unforgettable event, “said Valdes in conversation with OnCuba after arriving in Havana where preparations for the 24th Festival Ballet of Havana continue.
Adiarys Almeida starred in the Don Quixote pas de deux with the young Brooklyn Mack, from the Washington Ballet; a movement of the original work that allows the dancer to show off technically, since it is coated with sensuality and rapport with her partner.
Viengsay Valdes, meanwhile, danced one of its landmarks: the Black Swan. It is a piece that she truly masters after so many times in which she has become the seductive and mischievous Odile.
“Odile in the third act of Swan Lake is a character that requires full concentration and demand both technical and interpretative nuances, the deployment during the scene of the adage should be done with enough conviction to catch both the prince and the audience and guide them, within her power, to her passionate seduction. It is one of the most difficult roles of classical, strong and demanding dance but the most enjoyable “said Valdes.
The gala brought together pairs of 5 of the most respected ballet companies in the world: National Ballet of Cuba, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Ballet of London and Paris National Opera.
Besides Cubans, other stars graced the evening as Daniel Ulbricht and Erica Pereira of New York City Ballet, the legendary Vladimir Malakhov, Marian Walter and Iana Salenko from the Royal Ballet and Alessio Carbone and Eve Grinsztajan of the Paris Opera.
One of the most awesome moments of the night was the performance of the legendary choreography Pas de Quatre, by Betina Ojeda of the Concierto de Puerto Rico Ballet, Zulma Berrios of the Ballets de San Juan, Laurita Valentin of the Ballet Teatro Nacional and Denise Eliza from Coda21.
“In Puerto Rico I felt at home. I was thrilled just by seeing that on my first appearance on the stage the audience already applauded as if I were a regular dancer in theaters. Another special moment was the end of my representation of the pas de deux from Swan Black when the public in full ovation jumped from their seats and cheered me up. I instinctively put my hand to my chest in the middle of reverence because I felt deep inside that thanks to all those present. For me it was an unforgettable night, ” Viengsay Valdes said, referring to her participation in the gala.
