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Viengsay Valdés
Viengsay Valdés is a Cuban ballerina. Since 2003, Valdés is the Prima ballerina and since 2019 she is the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Cuba (in Spanish: Ballet Nacional de Cuba). Valdés developed a reputation as a dancer for her interpretations of the female lead roles in the ballets, ''Carmen'', ''Giselle'', ''Swan Lake'', ''Blood Wedding'', ''Don Quixote'', ''Romeo and Juliet'', '' The Sleeping Beauty'', ''Cinderella'', ''Coppélia'', ''La Fille Mal Gardée'', and ''The Nutcracker''. She also danced in notable pas de deux from ''Le Corsaire'', '' Diana and Actaeon'', ''Silvia,'' and ''Black Swan (El Cisne Negro)''. Early life and education Viengsay Valdés Herrera was born in Havana, Cuba in 1976. Valdés and her family moved when she was three months old to Laos, where her father served as the Cuban Ambassador. Her name Viengsay means “victory” in Laotian. At age three, her family moved to the Seychelles. At age six, she moved back to Havana, Cuba, wher ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Art Schools (Cuba)
The National Art Schools (Escuelas Nacionales de Arte) of Cuba is one of the most important educational institutions of the Cuban nation and has been declared as "National Monument". Cuba's National Art Schools (Escuelas Nacionales de Arte, now known as the Instituto Superior de Arte) are considered by historians to be among the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Cuban Revolution. These innovative, organic Catalan vault, Catalan-vaulted brick and terra-cotta structures were built on the site of a former country club in the far western Havana suburb of Cubanacán, which was once considered to be Havana's "Beverly Hills", The schools were conceived and founded by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in 1961, and they reflect the utopian optimism and revolutionary exuberance of the early years of the Cuban Revolution. Over their years of active use, the schools served as the primary incubator for Cuba's artists, musicians, actors and dancers. By 1965, however, the art schoo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pas De Deux
In ballet, a ( French, literally "step of two") is a dance duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform ballet steps together. The ''pas de deux'' is characteristic of classical ballet and can be found in many well-known ballets, including ''Sleeping Beauty'', ''Swan Lake'', and '' Giselle''. It is most often performed by a male and a female (a ''danseur'' and a ''ballerina'') though there are exceptions, such as in the film '' White Nights'', in which a ''pas de deux'' is performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines. ''Grand pas de deux'' A ''grand pas de deux'' is a structured ''pas de deux'' that typically has five parts, consisting of an ''entrée'' (introduction), an ''adagio'', two variations (a solo for each dancer), and a ''coda'' (conclusion). It is effectively a suite of dances that share a common theme, often symbolic of a love story or the partnership inherent in love, with the dancers portraying expressions of affectionate feelings an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ivan Vasiliev
Ivan Vladimirovich Vasiliev (born 9 January 1989) is a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer. He graduated from the Bielorussian Ballet School in 2006. Early on, he won prizes that include First Prize and Best Dancer Prize at the Arabesque-96 Ballet Competition in Perm in 2005, First Prize at the Moscow International Ballet Competition in 2006, Special Distinction of the Varna International Ballet Competition in 2006, Rising Star of Soul of Dance Award in 2008, one of "25 to Watch" of ''Dance'' Magazine 2008, Benois Prix de la Danse in 2009, Virtuosity Prize of International Dance Open in Saint Peterburg in 2010, followed by the Grand Prix the following year, Best Dancer of 2011 UK Critic's Award. In 2014 he was granted the title of "Honoured Artist of Russia". In 2015, by public poll, he was awarded Discovery of the Year QG Prize, for his first ballet evening as choreographer. Career Vasiliev joined the Bolshoi Ballet in the end of 2006, as first soloist. When 2010 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thiago Soares
Thiago Soares (born 18 May 1981) is a Brazilian ballet dancer and choreographer. He is a former principal dancer with The Royal Ballet in London, and guest principal in other theatres around the world. Early life Born in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro, Soares was introduced to dance in a street dance hip hop group of Vila Isabel in Rio de Janeiro eventually at 13 got a scholarship to trained to become a professional dancer at the Centre for Dance Rio where was graduated in 1998. Career Soares joined the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theatre Ballet in 1998; where his repertoire included the Prince in ''The Nutcracker'', Siegfried in Natalia Makarova's ''Swan Lake'', Solor in Makarova's ''La Bayadère'', Romeo in Vladimir Vasiliev's ''Romeo and Juliet'', and Basilio in ''Don Quixote''. In 2002, he briefly trained with the Kirov Ballet and danced Siegfried and Basilio and Prince desire with the Russian State Ballet. Soares joined the Royal Ballet in 2002 as a First Artist and was promote ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leonid Sarafanov
Leonid Sarafanov (born 28 June 1982 in Kyiv, Ukraine) is a principal ballet dancer with the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia. Biography Leonid Sarafanov studied at the Kyiv State School of Choreography and graduated in 2000, joining the National Ballet of Ukraine the same year as soloist. In 2002, he was invited to join the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg by the director of the time, Makhar Vaziev and quickly became famous. The young Ukrainian was catapulted into the most challenging of roles in the Mariinsky repertoire and abroad on tour. He was promoted to soloist in 2003 and finally, became a principal. In January 2011, he left the Mariinsky and joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet as a principal. His repertoire includes James in ''La Sylphide'', Solor in ''La Bayadère,'' Prince Siegfried in ''Swan Lake,'' the Nutcracker-Prince in ''The Nutcracker'', Prince Désiré in '' The Sleeping Beauty'', Basilio in ''Don Quixote'', and Romeo in ''Romeo and Juliet''. He has als ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Carlos Acosta
Carlos Yunior Acosta Quesada (born 2 June 1973) is a Cuban-British ballet director and retired dancer who is director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. He danced with many companies, including the English National Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, Houston Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. He was a permanent member of The Royal Ballet from 1998 to 2015. In 2003, he was promoted to principal guest artist, a rank that reduced his commitment, enabling him to concentrate on a growing schedule of international guest appearances and tours. He celebrated his farewell after 17 years at The Royal Ballet, dancing his last performance in November 2015 in ''Carmen'', which he both choreographed and starred in. In January 2020, Acosta was appointed as director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, succeeding David Bintley. In February, he announced the plans for his inaugural season, including a "Curated by Carlos" festival, and special performances with Alessandra Ferri. Early life and educ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prima Ballerina Assoluta
''Prima ballerina assoluta'' is a title awarded to the most notable of female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a ''prima ballerina assoluta'' is a rare honour, traditionally reserved for the most exceptional dancers of their generation. Originally inspired by the Italian ballet masters of the early Romantic ballet and literally meaning 'absolute first ballerina', the title was bestowed on prima ballerinas who were considered exceptionally talented, performing to a higher standard than other leading ballerinas. The title is rarely applied to dancers today. Recent titles have been awarded symbolically (though no less well-deservedly). Reasons for granting have included public recognition and praise for a prestigious international career, and/or for giving 'exceptional service' to their ballet company. Currently, no universal procedure or common criteria exists for ballet companies to determine whether to grant this title to a dancer. This has led to disputes & conflict am ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
International Ballet Festival Of Havana
The International Ballet Festival of Havana (''Festival de Ballet de La Havana'') is a biennial ballet festival held in Havana, Cuba. It takes place in various theatres in the city, including the Great Theatre of Havana, the Karl Marx Theatre, and the Mella Theatre. The festival was created in 1960 by a joint effort of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, the ''Instituto Nacional de la Industria Turística,'' and the cultural branches of the Cuban government. The International Ballet Festival of Havana was included in mass dissemination plans in the arts following the Cuban Revolution. In 2023, the festival presented 20 performances including several world premieres. It is one of the oldest ballet festivals in the world. Festivals 1st through 5th festivals The years that followed the first three festivals, 1960, 1966, and 1967, involved graduated from the ''Escuela Nacional de Ballet'' (National Ballet School). The 4th festival was held in 1974, and was dedicated to the 2nd Congress o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alicia Alonso
Alicia Alonso (born Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad del Cobre Martínez del Hoyo; 21 December 1920 – 17 October 2019) was a Cuban prima ballerina assoluta and choreographer whose company became the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1955. She is best known for her portrayals of Giselle and the ballet version of ''Carmen''. From the age of nineteen, Alonso was afflicted with an eye condition and became partially blind. Her partners always had to be in the exact place she expected them to be, and she used lights in different parts of the stage to guide herself. Early life Alonso was born "on the outskirts" of Havana in 1920, the fourth child of Antonio Martínez de la Maza Arredondo, lieutenant veterinarian of the army, and Ernestina del Hoyo y Lugo, a dressmaker. Her parents were of primarily northern Spanish descent on both sides. Alonso began dancing as a child. At the age of nine in 1929, the family moved to Spain were Alonso stayed for a year and half, there she studied and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Asthma
Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. A sudden worsening of asthma symptoms sometimes called an 'asthma attack' or an 'asthma exacerbation' can occur when allergens, pollen, dust, or other particles, are inhaled into the lungs, causing the bronchioles to constrict and produce mucus, which then restricts oxygen flow to the alveoli. These may occur a few times a day or a few times per week. Depending on the person, asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise. Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens. Other potential triggers include medications such as aspirin and beta blockers. Diag ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Seychelles
Seychelles (, ; ), officially the Republic of Seychelles (; Seychellois Creole: ), is an island country and archipelagic state consisting of 155 islands (as per the Constitution) in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, Victoria, Seychelles, Victoria, is east of mainland Africa. Nearby island countries and territories include the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the French Fifth Republic, French overseas departments and regions of France, overseas departments of Mayotte and Réunion to the south; and the Chagos Archipelago to the east. Seychelles is the list of African countries by area, smallest country in Africa as well as the list of African countries by population, least populated sovereign African country, with an estimated population of 100,600 in 2022. Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being encountered by Europeans in the 16th century. It faced competing French and British interests until it came under full British control in the early 19th century. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Laos
Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. The country has a population of approximately eight million. Its Capital city, capital and most populous city is Vientiane. The country is characterized by mountainous terrain, Buddhist temples, including the UNESCO's World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, and French colonial architecture. The country traces its historic and cultural identity to Lan Xang, a kingdom which existed from the 13th to 18th centuries. Through its location, the kingdom was a hub for overland trade. In 1707, Lan Xang split into three kingdoms: Kingdom of Luang Phrabang, Luang Prabang, Kingdom of Vientiane, Vientiane, and Kingdom of Champasak, Champasak. In 1893, these kingdoms were unified under French protection as part of French Indochina. Laos was und ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
