Visa denial costs Dudamel his Cuba Ballet
mainPress release from the LA Phil:
The National Ballet of Cuba has been forced to withdraw from the previously announced The Nutcracker with Dudamel concerts at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, August 14, and Thursday, August 16 (both at 8pm), due to challenges with visas. Concerts with Omara Portuondo and Oscar D’León, both with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel, have been announced in their place.
I am embarrassed by my country (the US). I am embarrassed by Trump.
Ridiculous. The National Ballet of Cuba is one of the best companies in the world, and has been to the US several times before. Not sure if it has ever toured to LA, so the local residents are the ones missing out, not Dudamel, for whom conducting from the pit is probably not a terrific attraction.
Patrick is right to be ashamed for his country.
I wonder who exactly hasn’t been able to get a visa. The National Ballet of Cuba was already in the States performing early last month.
I just posted the answer as to why they aren’t coming. I think it needs to be reviewed before posting. don’t know if this will post either, but the answer is here: “The Cuban company notified that the function conceived for next August with the symphony orchestra failed to consolidate due to the complex and expensive procedures to obtain the visas that could not be assumed by the Philharmonic.”
The Philharmonic did not want or couldn’t pick up the tab for the dancers to get their visas in mexico (a three day ordeal) The Kennedy Center picked up the tab and there was no problem. The Cuban company has no money so sponsors must pay. LA couldn’t or didn’t want to pay. Getting visas was not the problem. money was since they can no longer get visas in havana.
The Cuban press is saying (and I believe them) I know this ballet well–having photographed the dancers for many years. The Cuban national ballet has essentially no money. Sponsor organizations have to pay the full freight–flights, food, hotels, transport and everything else. Because of the absurd Trump Cuba policy, the ballet has to fly to Mexico to apply for visas (thus the cost of flights for 80+ people, food, hotel, transport. ) According to this article, the Philharmonic was unable pick up the bill for the visas.
“The Cuban company notified that the function conceived for next August with the symphony orchestra failed to consolidate due to the complex and expensive procedures to obtain the visas that could not be assumed by the Philharmonic.”
The ballet cannot pick up the tab for anything, so it was cancelled. Last May, the Kennedy center picked up the entire tab for the visas being acquired in Mexico (In addition to the entire US trip) and there wasn’t a problem. Not blaming the Philharmonic if they didn’t have the money, but that is what happens when you invite the Cuban National Ballet.
http://cubasi.com/culture/item/14298-u-s-policy-prevents-national-ballet-of-cuba-s-performance
So many good orchestras around.
Don’t sweat it.