By ERICA ORDEN
Carreño to Retire From American Ballet Theater
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Jose Manuel Carreño will retire in August 2011, the company announced Thursday.
A principal with ABT since 1995, Mr. Carreño was born and trained in Cuba. He joined the English National Ballet in 1990, having won the gold medal at the New York International Ballet Competition and the grand prix at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. In 1993, he joined the Royal Ballet as a principal.
In his farewell performance on June 30, 2011, Mr. Carreño will appear in “Swan Lake” at the Metropolitan Opera House opposite fellow principal dancers Julie Kent and Gillian Murphy.
Mr. Carreño’s retirement date will allow him to participate in ABT’s trip to his homeland of Cuba, which is scheduled for November. The trip will be the company’s first excursion to the country since 1960.
Though he is parting ways with ABT, Mr. Carreño will not end his dance career permanently: He will continue to perform as a guest artist.
Write to Erica Orden at erica.orden@wsj.com