Cuba Ballet Great Fernando Alonso Dies

Founder of the Cuban National Ballet along with Alicia Alonso.

HAVANA TIMES — Fernando Alonso, dancer and grand maestro del ballet cubano, passed away in Havana on Saturday at the age of 98.

When interviewed by Havana Times last October Alonso described his later years effort: “To preserve my memory as well as possible, in order to keep with me all of the things that I’ve learned.”

Now the memory of this great maestro will remain with generations of Cubans and ballet lovers around the globe.

Fernando founded the Ballet Nacional de Cuba along with his wife, ballerina Alicia Alonso, who still directs it.

His body is on display at the National Theater in the capital. The funeral will take place at the Colon Cemetery.

The Alonso’s daughter, Laura, is the director of the ProDanza Company.

Also see: HT intervew with Fernando Alonso.