National Ballet of Cuba Presents Don Quixote: Review

Comments 51 by Rebecca Bollwitt
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.

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

donquixotecubaballet
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:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
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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51 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. Tiffany KalanjWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 2:58pm PST

    I hope that I win!

  2. SWWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 2:59pm PST

    This would be an awesome prize!

  3. DavidWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:01pm PST

    Would love to take my sister who loves ballet!

  4. brittanyWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:03pm PST

    Love the ballet!

  5. HarjWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:04pm PST

    Hope I win:)

  6. JulieWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:04pm PST

    Excellent prize! I’d love to go!

  7. NatalieWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:05pm PST

    Would love this! Thanks!!

  8. NicoleWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:05pm PST

    Looks like a wonderful production!

  9. GisellaWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:07pm PST

    Haven’t been to the ballet in decades…would love to go again.

  10. JayneWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:08pm PST

    Please pick me! I just went to Cuba and loved it!!!

  11. Nic TWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:09pm PST

    Would love to see the ballet!

  12. Michael HWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:14pm PST

    would love to see this!!

  13. rickWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:19pm PST

    my girlfiend loves the ballet and id like to see how it is in person

  14. SanazWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:25pm PST

    I would love to see this ballet

  15. RhiannWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:31pm PST

    This looks so awesome!

  16. Stephanie SWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:36pm PST

    fingers crossed!

  17. MarikaWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:38pm PST

    Very excited over the possibility of seeing this extraordinary ballet!

  18. KarenWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:41pm PST

    Always wanted to see this music in the form of ballet, my childhood love!

  19. stephWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 3:58pm PST

    Love, Love, Love the ballet Thanks

  20. JenniferWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 4:10pm PST

    I would love to go to the ballet!

  21. LaurenWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 4:19pm PST

    Would love to go to see this performance.

  22. lucWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 4:42pm PST

    I want to dance all night!

  23. mandy sandhuWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 5:43pm PST

    Fingers crossed for me as Im a bit low on luck this yr, and really need a night out !I hope I win 🙂

  24. SharylinWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 7:42pm PST

    I’d love to take our friend from the east coast to see this!

  25. MaryWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 7:42pm PST

    Would love to see the performance! Read the book it’s one of my favourites.

  26. Linda C.Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 8:23pm PST

    Would love to go see this….!

  27. lorWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 8:24pm PST

    wow – would love to see this!!!!

  28. Kevin G.Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 8:24pm PST

    I’ll love to take my gf to see this.

  29. WesleyWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 8:46pm PST

    Seems like a great experience!

  30. TiffanyWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 8:50pm PST

    I’m a fourth year English literature major and I studied Don Quixote last year! I’d love to win tickets to see the ballet! I even emailed my prof about this production…

  31. ShelleyWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 9:51pm PST

    I really want to see this ballet, as I have never been to one before.

  32. Kristen @ The Endless MealWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 10:00pm PST

    I’ve seen a ballet once before and absolutely loved it. Thanks for the chance to win tickets!

  33. mike lWednesday, February 15th, 2012 — 11:13pm PST

    Good luck everyone.

  34. lindaThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 6:34am PST

    never been to the ballet. This would be a nice way.

  35. LindaThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 7:22am PST

    I haven’t been to an Opera for a while and would love to go.

  36. Ka CThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:01am PST

    I have never been to a ballet this nice in Vancouver. I would love to win a pair.

  37. ColinThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:25am PST

    My wife would love to!

  38. ElspethThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:28am PST

    I’d love to win – got a big anniversary on the horizon. Am tweeting as well.

  39. Larissa RThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:36am PST

    Oh, I would love to go to this – I haven’t been to the ballet in years!

  40. JenThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:39am PST

    I am in love with ballet and thanks Miss604!

  41. JenniferThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:40am PST

    I have never been to a live ballet show before, this would be a real treat!

  42. Roxanne TThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:42am PST

    What a great tribute to David Lui!

  43. MaryanneThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:45am PST

    yes please! It would be so wonderful to go.

  44. Mark G.Thursday, February 16th, 2012 — 9:55am PST

    I want these please!

  45. rinoThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 10:15am PST

    Would be awesome!

  46. taniaThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 10:16am PST

    So beautiful!

  47. SamiraThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 10:31am PST

    I would LOVE to see this ballet 🙂

  48. DavidThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 10:48am PST

    Would love to go, =D

  49. PhyThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 11:37am PST

    I love ballet!

  50. ChristineThursday, February 16th, 2012 — 1:18pm PST

    I love the ballet and Don Quixote so this would be a great time!

  51. Lumen PhotoFriday, February 17th, 2012 — 8:58am PST

    a really great company of dancers!

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