From September 11th to 14th, famous French choreographer Roland Petit’s ballet La Chauve-souris will be staged in Tianqiao Theater by National Ballet of China. This will be NBC’s first-round performances of La Chauve-souris, and also a significant part of “China national art troupes 2014 season”.
La Chauve-souris, masterpiece of the French choreographer Roland Petit, was inspired by the operetta Die Fledermaus of “Waltz King”, Johann Strauss. It is a light comedy about the meaning of love, family and responsibility: the hero Johann returns to family harmony in his wife Bella’s efforts. The story can easily raise the respondance of audiences. The ballet combines several forms of art, such as Waltz and comic mimes. The combination of classical music and modern arrangement can also let the audience think of gorgeous colors and elegant styles in Paris, Vienna and Milan. It also has a noticeable style of Roland Petit, which is classical and modern, simple and moving. The dancers of NBC will give us a new Chinese expression of Western classical ballet.
Roland Petit, the late french ballet choreographer, was born in January 1924 in Villemomble. He enjoys a very high reputation and was one of the three greatest ballet choreographers of the world in 20th century. He was decorated by former french President Jacques Chirac and Russian President Vladimir Putin. As Chirac said: “He was a ethnic master of the world.” In 2005, at the invitation of the National Ballet of China, 81-year-old master Roland Petit came to China and rehearsed NBC’s dancers for his most characteristic ballets: Carmen, le Jeune Homme et la Mort and l’Arlesienne. The performance was well received by Chinese viewers and caused a huge stir in Chinese ballet world. He continued his cooperation with National Ballet of China for Pink Floyd Ballet’s rehearsal in 2006 and introduced to Chinese audience the rock ballet. In view of his contribution to the cultural exchange between China and France, Chinese Government has awarded to Roland Petit in 2008 the highest award available to foreigners in China: “Friendship Award”. This year, in honor of the master, the National Ballet of China will introduce his another grand piece La Chauve-souris.
It may be said that the premiere of La Chauve-souris in China will not only a visual enjoyment, but also a acoustic feast for classical music fans.
The “Waltz King” Johann Strauss was an Austrian composer, conductor and violinist. His passion for music began since childhood. At the age of 7, he composed his first waltz. He wrote all his life more than 400 songs, including waltzes, marches, and other genres of music. The most famous among them are The Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, Voices of spring, etc. These works are beautiful, full of life and reflect people’s optimism to their lives. Die Fledermaus is one of the most famous operettas of Johann Strauss. It premiered on April 5th 1874 at Vienna State Opera and has become the repertoire of first-class companies in many countries. The Overture to Die Fledermaus is also extremely popular and it become indispensable to a great number concerts.
In September, the National Ballet of China will send out the strongest cast to audience: Prima Ballerina Zhu Yan, Zhang Jian and Wang Qimin; Principal dancers Li Jun, MA Xiaodong, Cao Shuci and Yu Bo; youth actor Sun Ruichen; guest artist, artistic director of Vienna State Ballet, Manuel Legris will all starring on stage.
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