Historical Figure
Fernando Alonso
1914–2013
Cuban ballet dancer
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Biography
Fernando Alonso was a Cuban ballet dancer. He is a co-founder of the Cuban National Ballet and was part of the American Ballet Theatre company between 1940 until 1948. He received the Prix Benois de la Danse for lifetime achievement in 2008.
Timeline
The story of Fernando Alonso, told in moments.
Born Fernando Juan Evangelista Eugenio de Jesus Alonso Rayneri in Havana, Cuba. His father was an accountant. The household valued the arts.
Sent to Spring Hill College in Alabama at 15 with his younger brother Alberto. Political instability in Cuba prompted the move. He discovered ballet in the United States.
Joined the American Ballet Theatre company. Performed as both dancer and choreographer. Married fellow dancer Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad del Cobre Martinez del Hoyo, who became Alicia Alonso.
Co-founded the Cuban National Ballet with Alicia. Returned to Havana to build a ballet company from the ground up. It became one of the most respected classical ballet companies in the Americas.
In Their Own Words (3)
What I have felt at McLaren is good professionalism, a team that is very determined and focused on the championship. There is a new atmosphere within the team, and I saw that when I went to the factory and met all the people. They are so excited. They really think that after a few years without success, this is the year to come back. No-one has doubts. That was a complete surprise to me, yet from my point of view, it was great to see all that optimism, and I feel more ambitious now - a completely new man. Sometimes after a tough season and when the winter arrives, you want to test as late as possible, to be on your holidays as much as you can. But now it's the opposite. I want to be in the car. I feel like when I arrived in Formula One six years ago. I just want to drive.
About joining a McLaren team that failed to win a grand prix the previous season for the first time in a decade. (January 16, 2007), 2007
It has been a fantastic weekend and now I probably need some time to believe I'm champion again. I'm 25 years old and I've won two drivers' championships and two constructors' titles with Renault. With this being my last race for Renault after five years with them, what a fantastic way to finish my relationship. I will have these memories all my life, winning both titles, the emotion, the atmosphere in the garage. We grew up together and now we have won both championships in two consecutive years. The years I have had with Renault, I will never forget. To finish the last race the way we have is something you never dream of. You never even try to dream of it because it's always more than what you expected.
About leaving the Renault team (October 23, 2006), 2006
It was fantastic to fight with Michael, a privilege for me. I said in 2005 that it was important to become Champion when Michael was still there, for the value and the recognition that people outside the sport would give to the championship. But people said we did not fight directly in 2005; this year, it was me versus Michael all year. The history books will say that the last two Championships he raced in were won by Alonso, and that makes me very proud. It was a pleasure to compete against him.
About racing against, and beating, Michael Schumacher (December 13, 2006), 2005
Artifacts (15)
I looked like a long-haired tomato! Before settling on the star, I'd just paint ...
he was photographed with both designs in the same session. "I even tried painting my face all red", he admitted. "I looked like a long-haired tomato! Before settling on the star, I'd just paint a...
I hold myself to a higher standard than others do. With that in mind, I wanted t...
d in platform boots since the early 1970s. In October 2011, Stanley had surgery on his vocal cords. He said, "I hold myself to a higher standard than others do. With that in mind, I wanted to remedy a...
were fine for me. I found them very satisfying because I got a chance to be out ...
force for Kiss during the period in the 1980s when the band performed without makeup. Those years, Stanley noted, "were fine for me. I found them very satisfying because I got a chance to be out there...
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