Stars from National Ballet of Cuba shine in Italy

The Modern Theater of the Italian city of Grosetto is honored by the performance of the director of the National Ballet of Cuba (BNC), Viengsay Valdés, and the main dancer of that company, Anyelo Montero, local media reported on Sunday.

Grosetto Mayor Antonfrancesco Vivarelli pointed out in statements published on the website of La Nazione that this city in the central region of Tuscany will host “with great enthusiasm” the Grand Gala of the Stars, with figures from the BNC, in “a unique show” on Sunday.

“It will be an event of great cultural value,” said promoter Débora Ferretti, who pointed out that these presentations “will give prestige to the city,” because “never before in the history of dance in Grosseto had an spectacle of such high artistic depth had been created.”

This Grand Gala of the Ballet Stars is sponsored by the government of the region of Tuscany, as well as by the municipal authorities of the cities of Grosseto and Follonica, and by the municipality of Castiglione della Pescaia.

Viengsay Valdés and Anyelo Montero will perform selections from Carmen, by Alberto Alonso, as well as a pas de deux from Love Fear Loss, choreographed by Brazilian Ricardo Amarante, a ballet inspired by the life of French singer Edith Pieaff, in whose performance they will be accompanied on stage by renowned Cuban pianist Marcos Madrigal.

In addition to the Cuban dancers’ performance as main figures, the gala will include the participation of other top exponents of that world ballet, like Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov, from the Royal Ballet of London, and Elisa Carrillo and Mikhail Kaniski, from the Staats Ballet Opera Berlin.

“It is the first time I will dance in Grosseto. It is a big responsibility and an opportunity to interact with other dancers from around the world,” noted BNC Director Viengsay Valdés, who will also give a workshop on the Cuban method to a select group of students from European ballet schools.