80 years after Alicia Alonso’s debut as Giselle – Repeating Islands

OnCuba reports that on Thursday, November 2, 2023, Cuba’s Ministry of Communications issued a special, limited-edition stamp to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the debut of Alicia Alonso’s performance in the lead role of Giselle (1943, New York). The official unveiling of the commemorative stamp took place at the Gran Teatro de La Habana, an institution that bears the name of the world-famous Cuban prima ballerina assoluta.

The 80th anniversary of one of the legends of Cuban and universal ballet, the debut of Alicia Alonso (1920-2019) in the lead role of the ballet Giselle, was remembered this November 2 with a philatelic commemoration organized by the Ministry of Communications.

Designed particularly for this occasion, the signing of the envelope took place at the Gran Teatro de La Habana, an institution named after the famous dancer who played Giselle on this date in 1943, in New York.

The signing coincided with an exhibition of pieces related to Giselle belonging to the Collection of the National Dance Museum, among which stands out the oil portrait of Alonso in Giselle, created by the painter Servando Cabrera Moreno in 1946.

In his introductory words, Pedro Simón Martínez highlighted the importance of that character in the career of the prima ballerina assoluta.

Considered a masterpiece of romanticism, Giselle had its world premiere on June 28, 1841, at the Paris Opera. However, critics agree that Alicia revived it and made it her own with interpretations that reach legendary status.

Alicia remained at the head of the National Ballet of Cuba [Ballet Nacional de Cuba (BNC)] until her death, despite her advanced age, as well as the International Ballet Festivals of Havana. The BNC, now directed by prima ballerina Viengsay Valdés, was founded in 1948.  [. . .]

For the full, original article (in Spanish) at https://oncubanews.com/cultura/a-80-anos-del-debut-de-alicia-alonso-como-giselle/