National Ballet of Cuba to celebrate the Sauto Theater’s reopening

After capital repairs undertaken over a decade, the Sauto reopened its doors on October 12, precisely the 326th anniversary of the founding of Matanzas province, known as the ‘Athens of Cuba,’ with an artistic gala entitled ‘The soul of the city,’ an allegory to the famous coliseum.

Directed by Alicia Alonso and considered Cultural Patrimony of the Nation, the BNC will offer the Matanzas public a further opportunity to see four emblematic works of its repertoire: ‘La Sylphide,’ ‘Muñecos’ (Dolls), ‘Nuestros valses’ (Our Waltzes), and ‘Celeste’, according to a press release.

The version of La Sylphide is that staged by prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, based on the original by Mikhail Fokin, with music by Fryderyk Chopin and set design by Salvador Fernandez, based on the originals by Alexander Benois.

According to the official note, ‘Muñecos’ focuses on the eternal theme of toys that come alive at night, this time with a typical Cuban doll and a lead soldier, with choreography by Alberto Mendez, music by Rembert Egües and costumes by Salvador Fernandez.

‘Nuestros valses’ is a work by Vicente Nebrada, musically arranged by Mark Richards and composed by Ramon Delgado Palacios and Teresa Carreño, while ‘Celeste’ by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa will close the program with music composed by Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky.

The leading roles of these performances will be assumed by Viengsay Valdes, artistic deputy director of the BNC; Grettel Morejon, Claudia Garcia, Ginett Moncho, Dani Hernandez and Rafael Quenedit, supported by soloists and the company’s corps de ballet.

The two days of performances by the BNC at the Sauto, located close to the foundational site of Matanzas, 100 kilometers east of Havana, provide continuity to the rich cultural heritage of the building, which has hosted historic events, the text highlighted.

Sauto Theater, inaugurated on April 6, 1863, was designed by Italian architect, engineer and painter Daniel Dall’aglio.

Similar to the Scala of Milan, it has functioned as a multipurpose space for the presentation of all performing arts manifestations, hosting prominent figures and important companies and groups from Cuba and abroad, and its capacity exceeds 700 spectators.