• Submitted by: admin
• Dance
• 04 / 16 / 2010

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The Ballet Naional de Cuba will perform at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre this year.

One of the world's most acclaimed ballet companies will perform exclusively in Brisbane this spring, affirming the city's position as a top destination for culture and the arts.

The Ballet Naional de Cuba (National Ballet of Cuba) is set to bring the legendary Don Quixote to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, September 24 to October 3, following on from the sell out season of the Paris Opera Ballet last year.

Enticing companies of this calibre to Queensland is not an easy - or cheap - task and QPAC has again partnered with the Queensland Government, through Queensland Events, to stage the big-ticket production.

Premier Anna Bligh today said that event was a major drawcard for the state and would coincide with several other key events on the local cultural calendar.

"The Ballet Naional de Cuba will be part of the Brisbane Festival and coincide with 'Valentino, Retrospective:

Past/Present/Future', another international blockbuster at the Cultural Centre's Gallery of Modern Art," Ms Bligh said.

"I am very pleased that QPAC will be offering tickets at a special discounted price to dance schools and school groups to enable as many young people as possible to experience this company."

Ms Bligh said that there was also significant economic value in staging large-scale productions in Brisbane, with the Paris Opera Ballet reported to have injected $2.99 million into the Queensland economy last June.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said it was a rare opportunity for Queenslanders to see this esteemed international company in this part of the world.

"QPAC is committed to presenting dynamic, unique and world-class dance to Australians, catering to the increasing popularity of dance within our culture", said Mr Kotzas.

The Ballet National de Cuba was created in 1948 by Alicia Alonso, Prima Ballerina Assoluta and Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Cuba and one of the most celebrated figures in Latin American ballet.

 The National Ballet of Cuba has toured in Washington, Paris, Beijing, Athens, New York and Tokyo - the 80 dancers have toured in more than 58 countries, drawing from their vast repertory of both the classics and modern ballets.

Tickets for the Ballet Naional de Cuba exclusive QPAC season will go on sale in late April.

By KATHERINE FEENEY

Source: www.brisbanetimes.com.au/