Alicia alonso was born December 21, 1920 in Havana, Cuba and was baptized as Alicia Ernestina from Caridad del Cobre Martínez del Hoyo. The daughter of Spanish parents, she was the youngest of four siblings and began learning dance at the age of nine.
When she was only nine years old, Alicia already knew what she wanted to be when she grew up and began her ballet studies at the Sociedad Pro-Arte Musical. Fernando Alonso, a dancer, moving to the United States. It was from him who took the surname that would make her known until today.
Came to New York City and studied with Anatole Vilzak Y Ludmilla shollar in the school of the American Ballet Theater, later he would do it in London with Vera volkova.
At the age of 19, Alicia suffered from a disease in one of her eyes that would leave her partially blind. From that moment she could not be alone and her companions had to be in the exact place where she waited and lights were used in different places so that she could guide herself.
At the age of 19, Alicia suffered from a disease in one of her eyes that would leave her partially blind. From that moment she could not be alone and her companions had to be in the exact place where she waited and lights were used in different places so that she could guide herself.
Alicia danced in the musicals of “Great lady“In 1938 and”Stars in your eyes”In 1939. In 1948 it was founded with the ballet name Alicia Alonso, which is now the National Ballet of Cuba. This would be the first professional ballet company in this country.
His most important activities began to be shared between him. American Ballet Theater, the Ballets Russes of Montecarlo and its own cast. It was in 1959 that the Revolutionary Government of Cuba offered him support.
His presentations of the great classics became internationally famous and were danced in other important companies such as the Ballets of the Paris Opera, the Vienna Opera and the San Carlo in Naples, among many others.
His presentations of the great classics became internationally famous and were danced in other important companies such as the Ballets of the Paris Opera, the Vienna Opera and the San Carlo in Naples, among many others.
Alicia Alonso received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Havana, by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, by the Higher Institute of Art of Cuba and by the University of Guadalajara. In 1993 he was awarded the Commendation of the Order Isabel the Catholic, delivered by the King of Spain.
In those months, a Dance Chair was created that would bear his name at the Complutense University of Madrid. Shortly afterwards, he created the Dance Foundation, which also bears his name. She was named an Honorary Member of the Association of Stage Directors in Spain.
In 1998 she was awarded the Gold Medal from the Círculo de Bellas Artes from Madrid. For 2000 he received the Benois Dance Award and was decorated with the highest award from the Council of the State of the Republic of Cuba.
In 2002 she was a Unesco goodwill ambassador for her contribution to the development, conservation and dissemination of classical dance. She and the National Ballet of Cuba receive the 2006 Cuba Disco Honor Award.
In its more than 50 years in the world of ballet, it has received a total of 127 national and international recognitions.