Swan Lake

Drawing inspiration from classical dance, traditional Chinese acrobatics and elements of Peking Opera, the Guangdong Acrobatic Company’s extraordinary version of Swan Lake has taken the world by storm since its premiere in 2006.

A co-production with the Shanghai City Dance Company, this spectacular ballet, a seamless fusion of breathtaking acrobatic feats and magnificent classical dance, has transformed its principal dancers into international stars and thrilled audiences worldwide.

Two exciting dance companies from China
at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

 

National Ballet of China

The National Ballet of China, one of the world’s great ballet companies, is appearing for the first time on the stage of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden under the artistic direction of Sonia Zhao.

Founded in 1959, based on the finest traditions of Russian classical dance, it has become renowned both for its outstanding productions of the traditional classics and for its inspired blending of Chinese culture and history with Classical western elements.

The Company has toured worldwide, winning international acclaim for its outstanding artistic achievements in Western and Chinese classical and contemporary ballet.

Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe of China

The internationally acclaimed Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe of China makes its sensational debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Founded in 1951, the Company is China’s foremost acrobatic company.

Renowned throughout the world, the Company astounds audiences with its astonishing productions which push imagination, physicality and technology to their limits in its electrifying presentations of traditional Chinese folk acrobatics within a dynamic modern perspective.

The National Ballet of China

Raise the Red Lantern

In 1991, Raise the Red Lantern, a film by celebrated director Zhang Yimou, stunned the cinematic world with its astonishing depiction of a feudal world in which a young woman is forced against her will to become the concubine of an old lord.

Together with choreographer Wang Xinpeng, Zhang subsequently translated this tragic story into a dazzling ballet, created especially for The National Ballet of China.

Emotionally charged scenes of love, jealousy, intrigue and loyalty are realised through stunning choreography, sumptuous sets, glorious period costumes and a lush, exciting musical score to create a uniquely Chinese style of ballet theatre, remarkable for its breathtaking blend of Chinese theatrical forms with traditional ballet.

The National Ballet of China

Swan Lake

The world renowned National Ballet of China, under the artistic direction of Sonia Zhao, makes its exciting debut at the Royal Opera House with Natalia Makarova’s entrancing production of Swan Lake.

For generations of ballet lovers, Makarova thrilled audiences with her legendary interpretations of Odette-Odile. Now the great ballerina has produced a ravishing new version of this timeless classic of immortal love.

Tchaikovsky’s sublimely evocative music provides the perfect showcase for the technical artistry and dramatic skills of the Company, unfolding in scenes of ecstasy and tenderness, lyricism and drama, as Prince Siegfried and the swan-princess Odette affirm their love for each other and conquer the forces of evil.