Conducted by Arseny Shuplyakov, the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra's music flowed with powerful emotion, drawing out the timeless tragedy of love. On October 10th and 11th, the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet and Symphony Orchestra graced the stage of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, officially opening the 2024 NCPA Dance Festival with the ballet Romeo and Juliet.

The story of Romeo and Juliet is well-known: two young lovers fall deeply in love, only to be torn apart by their families' feud, leading to their tragic deaths. Composer Sergei Prokofiev's music adds intense emotional depth to the entire production, with the music's shifts resonating perfectly with the dance expressions, creating a powerful impact. Over two consecutive nights, two lead casts from the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet took to the stage. Principal dancer Renata Shakirova and first soloist Philipp Stepin, as well as the double principal pairing of Nadezhda Batoeva and Timur Askerov, performed the roles. From the beauty of falling in love to the despair of their untimely deaths, the dancers conveyed the full emotional scope of this classic tale through virtuosic technique and delicate emotions, showcasing the Mariinsky Theatre's profound strength as Russia’s "artistic flagship."

Translator: FENG Haoxuan 

Reviewer: Ding Hongwei