What Makes Carlos Acosta So Great? Super Ballet Solos: Diana and Actaeon/Le Corsaire

With a humble childhood in one of Havana, Cuba’s poorest districts, Carlos Acosta rose to fame as an international ballet superstar. His stellar athleticism, dramatic range, and dynamic stage presence made him one of the preeminent male dancers of the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete dancer, he had it all with an overwhelming array of gorgeous turns, high leaps, with numerous innovations, allowing him to stand out from the crowd. This video focuses on Carlos’ acrobatic solos in Diana and Actaeon and Le Corsaire in the prime of his career, demonstrating his exceptional athletic prowess. I make several references to the Cuban School in the video. Here is background on technique nuances of the Cuban School: