Alicia theater, the art of Cuba – Granma International

When the Coliseum and San Rafael Prado reopens, it will make a much more complete way: no longer the Gran Teatro de La Habana alone, but the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso. Just, wise and emotional decision. No other name sums in our time more symbolism in the field of artistic culture, the meeting of the country with the world’s ways.

The dance, yes, it is dominant. Each square centimeter of the stage of the García Lorca Hall -the Spanish poet loved by his libertarian vocation and it belongs to us essential lyricism also keeps the imprint of Alice: their steps and their dreams, their exploits and fervor. There grew his characters, creatures danced and thought, those who lived with her and she has done, and still do live, in steps and gestures of others and others, the disciples who extend their lineage. “I dance with my ‘I said once- choreography; It is a way to keep dancing. Once he enjoyed as a dancer; now I do with others. And I swear I’ll follow every movement and feeling, the emotions of each character. At the end of each term representation exhausted, as if he had been on stage all the time. “

Alicia is the Dance, of course, capitalized. Alongside Fernando he molded the spirit of a school and a company. Return to their confessions. “I’ve always said that the technique is the language, but you know what they say and how things communicate, and that’s the style”

But beyond dance, Alicia is Art. Not only for what it was, has been and will be, but the overarching integrity of a sensibility that links the universal flight with a raigal Cuban, that has promoted dances and waltzes Lecuona, one of the concert halls of the Grand Alicia Alonso theater named after the author of comparsa-, the founding forefront of Roldan and Caturla, the cares of the Renewal Musical Group.

I have witnessed Alicia appreciation for Italian opera, of interest to upgrade the taste for baroque opera, praise their efforts in our works and the voices of the Spanish zarzuela, but especially to achieve that Cecilia, Roig, remains in effect, and shake hands at the scene Flemish air with hints of initiation bata drums, as here can attest Sergio Vitier and on the astral plane Antonio Gades. And still wondering when and how Chucho Valdes comply with compromised score with the National Ballet of Cuba, while the intimate memory protects Ball and Esther.

The Art of Alice is the paintings of Ponce and Portocarrero Amelia and Victor Manuel, Servando and Raul Martinez, and dialogues with Guillén, Carpentier and Lezama, with Martí in the center of everything.

A few weeks ago, when it had not yet taken the decision to rename the theater named Alice, she toured the facility and checked in situ the progress of the restoration process. He spoke with workers and specialists from the Ministry of Culture and evaluated new techniques and performing facilities.

A few days later I had the opportunity to perform, along with a group of writers and artists, partners UNEAC, the same I traveled. One of those responsible for enlisting the main tabloncillo said something that is worth a manifesto: “This is Alicia dance to Cuba a lifetime”. So be it.