Production and Performed by National Ballet of China

Artistic Director: Feng Ying

Répétiteurs: Yu Bo, Cao Shuci, Yu Yang Starring: Guan Chongzheng, Zhao Xinyue, Ning Long, Wu Siming, Yan Hualong, Zhang Yizhu

Music Recording by National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra

Stage Production: Stage Production Department of NBC

Synopsis

Romantic, the Ballet Gala by the National Ballet of China, will hold its debut on the stage of the Aranya Theater Festival, which will show you the renowned choreographer George Balanchine's classic Serenade, the Second Movement of NBC's first original symphonic ballet Inspiration and Glory, the modern work Sacrifice and the Fourth Movement of symphonic ballet The Yellow River. The wonderful performance will surely bring the unique romance of ballet art to the audience of Aranya…

Serenade

Choreography: George Balanchine 

                       ©The George Balanchine Trust 

Music: Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48 

Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Introduction:

The first performance of Serenade was on June 10, 1934, by students of the School of American Ballet, at Felix Warburg's estate, White Plains, New York.

Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance. It is the first original ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet's repertory. Originating it as a lesson in stage technique, Balanchine worked unexpected rehearsal events into the choreography. When one student fell, he incorporated it. Another day, a student arrived late, and this too became part of the ballet.

After its initial presentation, Serenade was reworked several times. In its present form there are four movements — "Sonatina," "Waltz," "Russian Dance," and "Elegy." The last two movements reverse the order of Tchaikovsky's score, ending the ballet on a note of sadness.

Balanchine had a special affinity for Tchaikovsky. "In everything that I did to Tchaikovsky's music," he told an interviewer, "I sensed his help. It wasn't real conversation. But when I was working and saw that something was coming of it, I felt that it was Tchaikovsky who had helped me."

The Mountain Bearer, Second Movement of Inspiration and Glory

Composer: Guan Xia (Guest)

Choreographer: Wang Sizheng 

Stage Designer: Liu Xinglin (Guest) 

Lighting Designer: Liu Zhao

Introduction:

When tip-toes touch the symphony notes,

When thoughts run through time and space,

When breaths connect with the spirits,

When dance steps narrate the civilization,

Inspiration and Glory is born to celebrate the great moments.

This first Chinese symphony ballet suite with majestic passion,

retrospecting the spirit origin empower the everlasting nation,

pays tribute to the roots and soul of the Chinese civilization...

Second Movement: The Mountain Bearer

Difficulties and dangers all come from the vast mountains,

Persistence and tenacity originated from the Yugong spirit.

From his own action to the inheritance of the descendants,

The gathering strength opens up a broad road on the earth.

Thus, the power of life burst forth,

Everlasting from generation to generation;

Thus, the banner of spirit lifts high,

Turning the poverty into happiness and beauty…

The Sleeping Beauty Pas de Deux (Excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty Act III)

Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Choreography by Kenneth MacMillan after Marius Petipa

Performed by Liu Lejin, Chen Zhifang

Morden Dance Sacrifice

Choreography by Fei Bo 

Music by Sainkho Namtchylak

Introduction:

Sacrifice reflects the humanistic sprit that people can sacrifice themselves for their ideals. It received the highly praise in the 22th Benois de la Danse in Moscow. We often have to make choice between love and ideal. The girls choose to sacrifice themselves for ideals without hesitation. Every time we join hands and retain each other, we are expressing the deep and sincere love; Every time we look back and wave sleeve, we are saying the final goodbye to the lovers.

The Forth Movement of The Yellow River

A group adaptation of Xian Xinghai' s The Yellow River Cantata by Central Philharmonic Orchestra

Music adapted by Yin Chengzong, Chu Wanghua, Liu Zhuang, Sheng Lihong, Shi Shucheng, Xu Feixing

Choreographer: Chen Zemei (Guest)

Stage Designer: Zeng Li (Guest)

Lighting Designer:Qu Yongde

Introduction:

The Yellow River, a ballet about 28 minutes length, is choreographed by Chen Zemei, professor of Beijing Dance Academy and premiered by the National Ballet of China in September 1999, using the music of a famous Piano Concerto "Yellow River" after Yellow River Cantata.

The Yellow River is a patriotic work with an exuberant bang of ballet steps and acrobatic moves. China's Yellow River has long been an inspiration for poets, musicians and other artists; the composer Xian Xinghai was also inspired to write his Yellow River Cantata in 1939. Some 30 years later in 1970s, Yin Chengzong, a famous Chinese pianist and other musicians adapted it as a piano concerto. It is this work, or parts of it, that gave rise to the celebratory ballet by NBC.

The company presents this work to demonstrate its skill combining ballet with Chinese dance. The Yellow River uses powerful imagery to symbolize China's great national spirit with four movements.