Cuba’s Acosta Danza captivated the very demanding Russian audiences in Moscow during the second of three performances there.

The Russian public received the company’s shows at the Mossovet Theater with a standing ovation. Run by international dance star, Carlos Acosta, the Cuban ensemble was set up two years ago with a style that mixes contemporary dance and ballet. During the second stage of its first international tour, the troupe presented the piece El Camino sobre el Niágara (The Way over the Niagara) by Cuban choreographer, Marianela Boan, at the 13th International Chekhov Theater Festival.

The program has also included the duet Faun by Belgium’s Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui,  Alrededor no hay nada (Nothing around) by Goyo Montero, and the solo Two by Russel Maliphant, danced by Carlos Acosta himself. The second part of the show included an explosive version of the classic Carmen, based on the novel by Prosper Merimee. The 50 member-strong ensemble began its first international tour in Poland, continued in Russia where it’s had three shows and is set to wind up in Norway.