Ballet Nacional de Cuba: bringing art directly to Cuban homes in times of COVID-19

Cuba’s ballet company Ballet Nacional de Cuba joins the special TV broadcasts aimed at bringing art directly to Cuban family homes in times of COVID-19. The company’s version of the ballet Coppelia will be aired on national television at 9:30 pm (Cuban Time) on Sunday, April 5th.

It features prima ballerina Viengsay Valdés, director of the iconic ballet company, along with Osiel Gounod and Félix Rodríguez as lead dancers, and the dance troupe of Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

The TV broadcast seeks to compensate ballet lovers for the postponement of a planned season of Coppélia, originally scheduled for these days on the 150th anniversary of the world premiere of the ballet classic.

"Coppelia," with its tale of a village lass, Swanilda, teaching Franz, her sweetheart and the lessons of true love, has been delighting children and adults alike, since its Paris premiere in 1870 by Arthur Saint-Leon.

Founded by Alicia Alonso in 1948, Ballet Nacional de Cub is today one of the most prominent dance companies in the world.