Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, Márcia Haydée, Gelsey Kirkland, Fernando Bujones, Margot Fonteyn, Cynthia Gregory, Erik Bruhn, Jorge Esquivel, and Alicia Alonso. Just a few of the most amazing ballet stars ever on the stage on the very same night. IT HAPPENED! It was on July 30, 1975.

The American Ballet Gala was to celebrate its 35th anniversary. It was also known as the “Alonso Gala” since it was the first presentation of Cuban legend in 30 years on American soil. Alicia was one of ABT’s greatest stars before the revolution in her country and, at the peak of the Cold War, it was amazing that both American and Cuban Governments allowed her to dance in the United States again. She performed Swan Lake‘s pas-de-deux of second act, with Esquivel.

Baryshnikov, on his first year with ABT, danced Don Quixote, with French ballerina Noella Pontois. Cynthia Gregory danced with Erick Bruhn and Rudolf Nureyev, later Nureyev partnered with Kirkland in Le Corsaire. Fernando Bujones shone in The Flames of Paris. What a night! Some pictures are below.