Classical ballet has Chinese dancers on their toes

From Thursday to Nov 2, the grand classical ballet La Bayadere will be staged at the Beijing Tianqiao Theater by the National Ballet of China as part of the celebration of the ballet company's 65th birthday.

La Bayadere is a classic story from the golden age of ballet, representing Russian ballet at its finest. Premiering in 1877, it was created by the "father of classical ballet" Marius Petipa 17 years before the more famous Swan Lake. It is widely recognized as one of the most technically challenging productions and is an essential piece in the repertoire of many world-renowned ballet companies. The technical demands placed on its soloists and ensemble make it a benchmark for a ballet company's overall strength.

Natalia Makarova, a legendary figure in modern ballet history, is hailed as the greatest ballerina of the past 50 years. La Bayadere was the first major ballet she choreographed, marking the start of her choreography career. The National Ballet of China's relationship with Makarova began in 2007 during the production of Swan Lake. In 2016, at 76, Makarova traveled to China again to guide the ballet company through its first production of La Bayadere. She praised their performance as authentic, further cementing their bond.

For this ongoing production, the National Ballet of China has invited Julio Bocca, a ballet superstar and former director of the National Ballet of Uruguay and the Ballet of Argentina, to assist in rehearsals. Bocca, a trusted collaborator of Makarova, joined the rehearsal process to ensure a successful revival of the production.

In these performances, the audience will enjoy the talent of the National Ballet of China's lead dancers, including Qiu Yunting, Ma Xiaodong, and Xu Yan. Musical director Zhang Yi and principal conductor Liu Ju will alternate conducting the National Ballet of China's symphony orchestra, bringing the powerful and vibrant score to life.