Passage II

Alicia Alonso Steps Up

[1]

[A] Late in October 1943, New York City's American Ballet Theatre being just days away from the opening night of Giselle. The company's prima ballerina, or leading female dancer, had suddenly become too ill to perform. [B] At once, the company's other dancers were asked whether they could perform the title role. With so little time to learn the part, all refused—all except Alicia Alonso.

[2]

Seizing the opportunity she had dreamed of since childhood, Alonso debuted as Giselle on November 2, her performance earning wide acclaim.[C] Alonso, who went on to dance the role for another five years, was soon promoted to principal dancer. One of the highest-ranked positions in a ballet company. (21)

[3]

This rise to prominence was a big to-do because, for more than a year prior to her breakout performance as Giselle, Alonso had been confined to bed. After three eye surgeries to repair a detached retina, she was instructed to remain still, not allowed to move her head, let alone dance. However, Alonso's belief that dancers must exercise not only the body but also the mind led her to rehearse mentally. Lying motionless, she repeatedly envisioned the steps and movements of classical ballets. By the time she had fully recovered,Alonso knew Giselle by heart. [D]

[4]

Despite a flourishing dance career, by 1948, Alonso felt compelled to return to her native Cuba to establish a ballet school. At the time, Cuba had few national interest in ballet and fewer ballet schools. Now, decades later, Alonso's Ballet Nacional de Cuba is recognized as one of the world's foremost ballet companies, it has served as the training grounds for generations of world-class dancers. Unless most professional ballet dancers retire around age, Alonso performed as a principal dancer with the company well into her seventies. Even into her nineties, the prima ballerina has continued to choreograph, saying, "I felt completely identified with Giselle."