National Ballet of Cuba Presents Don Quixote: Review

Comments 51 by Rebecca Bollwitt Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 2:56pm PST

Disclosure: Review — I was not paid to write this post or any other. The review is based on the opening night performance for which Miss604.com had complimentary media tickets. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

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The National Ballet of Cuba Presents Don Quixote in Vancouver starting tomorrow and running until Saturday night at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Photos courtesy of the National Ballet of Cuba. Vancouver Dates: February 16, 17, and 18, 2012.

According to organizers, “The production was to be the last for Vancouver impresario David YH Lui, who very sadly passed away in September while working on the project, leaving his business partner Brent to carry on without him. Brent is now Vancouver’s newest impresario.”

Choreographed by Alicia Alonso, from the original work by Marius Petipa, members of the company have recently been dubbed some of the best in the world. Featuring the music of Ludwig Minkus, the score will be played by the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, which I have had the pleasure of hearing during several of the VO’s productions. This legendary tale promises not to disappoint and I will also have a guest contributor provide a full review.

Tickets are available online for $47 to $97 and I have a coveted pair of tickets to opening night tomorrow as well. Here’s how you can enter to win my opening night tickets:

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RT to enter to win tickets for the National Ballet of Cuba’s Don Quixote from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/963Zr

Since opening night is tomorrow, this is a quick giveaway. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 10:00am tomorrow morning, February 16, 2012. The winner will need to confirm their attendance by 12:00pm (following email notification) otherwise another winner will be declared. Update The winner is @StreetStyleStef!

Update I was fortunate enough to send someone to review this ballet who has been passionate about the medium for her entire life. The following review was written, and contributed exclusively to Miss604, by Kelli Smith.

Opening Night Review “I was beyond excited to have the chance to see the National Ballet of Cuba tonight, and not only were Vancourites honoured enough to watch this world renowned classical ballet company, but we watched them preform the epic Don Quixote.

Don Quixote is an old tale, and showcases many pieces of highly challenging classical ballet choreography. Ballet Nacional de Cuba were wonderful at bringing their energy and cultural representation to this performance.

The dancing left me breathless at times, and I was literally almost brought to tears with Kitri’s magnificent solo’s and duets with Basilio in the third act. I was nearly on the edge of my seat at one point, leaning forward in anticipation and to more clearly see the astonishing talent.

You could feel the excitement in the crowd as soon as the orchestra started. By the end there were standing ovations DURING the performance (which I have never seen before at any ballet). The strength, fluidity, softness and gracefulness of the National Ballet of Cuba was truly amazing.

I truly believe it makes the experience, the closer you are, being able to see the expressions on the Corps de Ballet, as well as the effortless leg work of the Soloists. Definitely worth the price of the best seats in the house!”

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