Classic that never swans off stage
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Tan triumphs
The performance received high praise from New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff, who called it "the most beautiful 'Swan Lake' in history."
Two of the performances in Shanghai were led by Shanghai-born principal ballerina Tan, who is now one of the world's top dancers.
Second "Swan Lake" arriving in Shanghai was the St Petersburg Ballet Theater version, who performed to celebrate China's National Day in October.
The company was founded in 1994 by Russian entrepreneur Konstantin Tachkin, for the purpose of delivering classical Russian ballet to audiences worldwide.
The role of Odette-Odile in that performance was played by Irina Kolesnikova, the prima ballerina of the company.
"To Shanghai audiences, 'Swan Lake' is almost the synonym for ballet dance," says Qian Shijin, director of Shanghai Grand Theater.
The theater's opening performance 11 years ago was "Swan Lake" by the National Ballet from Beijing. Since then, all the theater's anniversaries have been celebrated with a performance of the popular ballet.
In terms of management, "Swan Lake" is a guaranteed box-office success compared to other ballets.
"The audience in Shanghai couldn't be more familiar with this classic ballet," adds Qian.
Others waiting for the Christmas performance include 37-year-old bank worker Dong Liqing and her nine-year-old daughter Chen Lili, who has been studying ballet for several years.
"I hope my daughter becomes a successful ballet dancer. I think it's good for her to watch as many ballet shows as possible, to enjoy the atmosphere of the dance, and also to improve her own dancing skills," says Dong.
Dong is not familiar with professional ballet but says the most familiar dance is "Swan Lake."
"Every time I hear of any performance of 'Swan Lake' in Shanghai, I try to bring my daughter to watch, as this dance has been a classic for me since I was young," says Dong.
Other classic ballets such as "The Nutcracker" and "Cinderella" have also been presented in Shanghai.
Russian romance
St Petersburg Ballet Theater is also well-known for many successful performances of classical ballets such as "Sleeping Beauty," "Giselle" and "The Nutcracker," but this time "Swan Lake" was the natural choice for their debut show.
"The ballet itself is an ever-classic work full of attractions by Tchaikovsky," says Ha Muti, president of Shanghai Ballet.
"Swan Lake" was the first Western classic ballet introduced to Chinese audiences and even during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) when most entertainment was forbidden, Russian companies still performed it in China.
Shanghai Ballet performed a version of "Swan Lake" supervised by Derek Deane, former artistic director of the English National Ballet in 2000, giving more than 50 shows during a two-year tour of China.
The ballet's final performances in Shanghai this season will be on January 13 and 16, with a version presented by the National Academic Bolshoi Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus.
In 1993, the State Opera House, the first in the history of Belarus, was opened in Minsk. Today the repertoire includes different epochs and styles. The ballet group includes 100 dancers and owes its home and international recognition to its artistic director Valentin Yelizariev.
Chelyabinsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of MI Glinka
Date: December 25, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave
Tickets: 150-800 yuan
Russian Imperial Ballet
Date: January 1-2, 7:15pm
Venue: Majestic Theater, 66 Jiangning Rd
Tickets: 100-680 yuan
Two Russian state ballet troupes
Date: January 13, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave
Tickets: 180-1,080 yuan
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