On August 1, 1967, Alicia assumed the role of the famous cigarette seller in a choreography by Alberto Alonso, a piece that soon became a benchmark on international stages.

Perhaps, the mixture of Spanish, Latin and African essences present in many Cuban ballerinas has allowed her -as the prima ballerina assoluta also did- to understand the spirit of that ballet, based on the homonymous novel by Frenchman Prosper Merimee and also taken to opera and theater.

The story inspired Cuban Alberto Alonso, who created one of the best-known ballet versions.

Although he created the piece for Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, shortly after her world debut in Moscow on August 1, 1967, Alicia took on the role in Havana and gave the character of the irreverent cigarette seller a stamp that has distinguished her until today.

In late July, the National Ballet of Cuba brought Carmen to the stage at the Melico Salazar Popular Theater, in Costa Rica, and once again won over the audience and specialized critics with this famous dance.

jg/abo/ro/ifb