Ballet Alicia Alonso collection

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MSS 61 XX

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Ballet Alicia Alonso collection consists of press clippings, programs, and photographs documenting the early years of Cuba's Ballet Alicia Alonso, which later became the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. The majority of the programs are from 1948, the year the company was established. Photograph subjects include rehearsals and classes; some of the photos have handwritten captions.

Dates

Creation: 1948 - 1965

Language of Materials

The materials in this collection are in Spanish and English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the authors of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. For photocopy and duplication requests, please contact the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, Michigan State University Libraries.

Biographical / Historical

Arlene Garver was born in San Francisco, CA. She studied ballet in New York with Edward Caton and in Paris with Mme. Egorova. She danced with the Eugene Loring Dance Players and Ballet Theatre and in Broadway musicals. (Biographical information translated from "Ballet Alicia Alonso" dance program, approximately 1948)

Alicia Alonso (1920-2019) was a Cuban dancer and choreographer. After training in New York City, she returned to Cuba in 1948 to found the Ballet Alicia Alonso, which was renamed the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1955.

Extent

.8 Linear Feet (1 box)

Additional Description

Custodial History

The collection appears to have belonged to Corps de Ballet member Arlene Garver and was purchased by MSU Special Collections in 2011. It was originally cataloged as oversize GV1785.A63 B35 1950z, and later reprocessed as a manuscript collection in 2017.