Ballet Nacional de Cuba Returns to Chicago

Ballet Nacional de Cuba returns to Chicago for the first time in 15 years May 18-20 with company director Alicia Alonso's acclaimed version of Don Quixote, accompanied by the Chicago Philharmonic.

"Don Quixote is an exciting and beloved ballet danced by the best companies in the world, and Ballet Nacional de Cuba has created a truly distinguished production that showcases Cuban dance traditions while respecting the integrity of the classic story ballet," says Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, Auditorium Theatre CEO. "I am also thrilled to have the Chicago Philharmonicjoining us to perform Ludwig Minkus' beautiful score, which will elevate the ballet to new heights."

Ballet Nacional de Cuba combines the best of European ballet culture with Cuban customs, honoring romantic and classical traditions. Founded in 1948 by iconic ballerina Alicia Alonso, Ballet Nacional de Cuba has gained international recognition with a wide-ranging repertoire that includes classic ballets such as Diana y Acteon, Giselle, and Esmerelda, as well as newer works by contemporary choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Peter Quanz. the company has toured around the world, performing in China, Spain, Holland, and more.

Alonso's Don Quixote, which premiered in 1988, is loosely based on the original tale by Miguel de Cervantes. Inspired by the choreography of Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky, Don Quixoteis a love story that follows Kitri and Basilio, two star-crossed lovers who are determined to be together despite Kitri's betrothal to another man. Don Quixote, a knight who arrives in town, attempts to help the lovers with the assistance of his squire, Sancho Panza, while also searching for his own lost love, the beautiful Dulcinea.

Giovanni Duarte, Ballet Nacional de Cuba's music director, conducts the Chicago Philharmonic for the Don Quixote performances. Duarte is the director of the orchestra of the Gran Teatro de La Habana, and has been a guest conductor with the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony, and the Pacific Symphony, among others.

The Chicago Philharmonic has been called "one of the country's finest symphonic orchestras" by the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of classical music, from Bach to Bernstein and beyond. Founded nearly 30 years ago, the Chicago Philharmonic currently serves as the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet, continues its 25-year association with the Ravinia Festival, is a resident company of Harris Theater Chicago, and performs at Auditorium Theatre, Symphony Center, and other the great concert halls of the Chicago and North Shore area. In 2018, the Illinois Council of Orchestras awarded the Chicago Philharmonic "Orchestra of the Year."

Tickets start at $41 and are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by phone at 312.341.2300, or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy). Discounts available for groups of 10+.

The Auditorium Theatre also offers $15 student rush tickets to full-time college students, and $5 tickets to young people ages 13-19 with Urban Gateways' Teen Arts Pass program. The Auditorium Theatre's ADMIT ONE program, launched in 2016, offers complimentary tickets to Chicago area community groups.