With the crisp autumn air and bright sunshine, in this beautiful season, the Central Ballet of China is also about to reap the fruits of art once again. The "65th Anniversary Series Performances" are currently underway. From October 24th to November 2nd, we will welcome the return of the ballet production "La Bayadère" directed by Natalia Makarova. This romantic and beautiful yet majestic classical ballet will add a highlight of art to the golden autumn in Beijing. At the same time, this play is also one of the key performances of the "2024 National Art Troupe Performance Season".
"La Bayadère" is a classic work representing Russian classical ballet during its most brilliant period, created by Marius Petipa, known as the "Father of Classical Ballet." It premiered in 1877, a full 17 years before his well-known "Swan Lake" became famous. "La Bayadère" can be considered a culmination of achievements and is widely recognized as one of the most difficult ballets. Whether it's the theme of love that transcends life and death, the gorgeous and mysterious oriental exoticism, the well-paced dramatic structure, the complex and rigorous choreographic language, or the vivid musical composition, all make it a monumental work in the history of ballet art. It is an indispensable classic in the repertoire lists of many world-renowned dance companies and, due to its comprehensive and high-level demands on the professional abilities of both the leading dancers and the corps de ballet, it has become an important benchmark for measuring the overall strength of a dance company.
The music for "La Bayadère" was composed by Austrian composer Ludwig Minkus, who was a very famous ballet composer, known for his music for the ballet "Don Quixote". His style is characterized by its brilliant colors and lively tempos, and he was particularly adept at integrating musical elements from different regions in a cross-cultural fusion, giving his compositions an exotic and romantic flair. In "La Bayadère", he incorporated beautiful and mysterious Middle Eastern and Indian musical materials into the classical ballet score, enriching the music with vibrant colors and vitality. The intricate structure and varied melodies provided fertile ground for the rich expressiveness of the dance and, together with the choreography, propelled the development of the plot. The symphonization of ballet music also began with "La Bayadère", and as symphony orchestras gradually became the standard accompaniment for ballet performances, ballet music has gained an increasingly important position in classical music. This also reflects the profound influence of this work on the art of ballet from another perspective.
For more details please visit: Central Ballet of China WeChat Official Account
