The National Ballet of Cuba regrets the death of renowned designer Julio Castaño

August 30, 2021

The National Ballet of Cuba regretted the death of Julio Castaño, who was a principal dancer and, later, set designer and costume designer for the company.

The dance company highlighted in a statement the trajectory of someone who also worked as a designer for the National Opera and died at age 86 due to a heart attack.

The emblematic ensemble remembered several of his creations such as Swan Lake (with choreography by Alicia Alonso), the costumes for Flora (by Gustavo Herrera).

Other works bearing his mark are Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Petrouchka, Apollo, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and The Circus.

A native of La Habana, Castaño began his artistic studies at the Concha Ferrant School of Plastic Arts and completed his training at the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts, where he obtained his degree in drawing and painting in 1962.

In pursuit of continuous improvement he traveled to Madrid, where he studied at the San Alejandro Central School and took classes in dramatic art, singing, ballet, and scenic design.