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Premiere of Neumeier's Song of the Earth in Beijing

In the evening of May 12, 2017, The National Ballet of China presented Master John Neumeier's two modern ballet works Song of the Earth and  Spring and Fall to 2,000 audiences in Beijing Tianqiao theater, as well as about 200,000 on-line subscribers through webcasting. Master's devotion and dancers' amazing performance were imprinted in the success of Neumeier's masterpieces premiere in China, reflected in a wave of applause from the audiences.

The poems from beautiful and mysterious Chinese Tang Dynasty in eighth century had inspired the composer Gustav Mahler. Master John Neumeier said: during the time when I created the ballet Song of the Earth at Paris Opera Ballet, these poems were constantly and brightly waked my memory of China. I feel particularly impassioned for this ballet production lets me bring the great literary treasures back to their birthplace in the form of dance art.

After the premiere, Master John Neumeier was very excited. He spoke in front of artists of NB of China and participants who worked together with him: Thank all departments, all of you! Your cooperation and efforts made performances successful tonight. The actors of NB of China have perfectly presented such a vivid art, as well as the Symphony Orchestra of NB of China. In both ballets, music is very important. Thank for the efforts of conductor Zhang Yi and the Symphony Orchestra under his leadership, so that we can be touched in music!

References: (more photos)

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102x59y.html
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102x59z.html

【Note】I am pretty sure that Master Neumerier's speech was made in English. But the translated Chinese from his words are in written language and flowery expressions. There is no way for me to get the original recording. So, I am just trying to translate the published Chinese text back into English without loosing Master's meaning, make it simple and straightforward, sound like amiable talking , not an exquisite writing.

Hope this helps.

References (in Chinese):

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102x43f.html
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102x48s.html
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102x4hd.html

Agnès Letestu
Paris Opera Ballet

In order to reproduce the original artistic style and unique charm of his ballet works, several "Stars" are invited by Master John Neumeier to come to National Ballet of China for rehearsals.

Among them, Agnès Letestu is one of the John Neumeier's favored ballet artist. She had been performing many roles in Neumeier's ballets.

In an interview Agnès said: The rehearsals are very interesting. The dancers in NB of China had played Mr. Neumeier's "Little Mermaid" before. Now there are many young new dancers having joined the team, whose classical ballet techniques are very strong. However, Mr. Neumeier's work is not only the composition of classical ballet vocabularies, but also with many "neoclassical"  steps and movements. For example, feet together in parallel, bow back (Bow Stance), hook foot, off-centered positions, turned-in legs and etc., which not everyone really got used to. At the beginning, they might move stiff. But soon, through the attempts, gradually they found the way to connect these movements.

The dancers of NB of China are willing to listen. For all the requirements, each amendments that I mentioned, they are willing to actively work out and complete. So I will try to help them to make progress, give hints how to improve the quality of action, then twice as much can be accomplished with half the effort. Sometimes with less strength, but relaxing little bit, that make the movements even more natural, easy and smooth (in silky & liquid movements). They all get the points and understand very well. from the first week till now I see everyone's efforts, they have made a very big progress.

To the understand the works, no need to tell them too much. I only give some tips to them, that include the creator's background,  spiritual (or mental) state, but not the narrative story. We know how to focus on the major and important things, but not pay too much attention on those minors, just show the most natural and pure side of the actors. This is a ballet about 'human'. We don't want to see the dancers deliberately acting as a man, but being themselves.

In NB of China, I keep close touch with dancers. They are all very curious.  If there is something they might not get it, they will not be so shy, but directly speak out to raise their questions. Sometimes when their movements are not done well enough, they always want to try again. This makes repetiteurs feel very reassuring. As a result, the rehearsal becomes a two-way process, a communication between us. So I appreciate the actors of NB of China very much.

Although the ballet Song of the Earth was created at the Paris Opera Ballet, but the Master is re-creating it for NB of China. The third section of Song of the Earth is the most Chinese-style part. The actors will hold the bowl to perform. Master Neumeier would make some changes according to the Chinese actors' technique and style.

Agnès said: I eagerly looking forward to that the ballet Song of the Earth can become the NBC dancers own ballet. Therefore, they are not putting on others' clothes, but it will become their own clothes. Hope to see very good communication between the actors on the stage and the audience, the actors winning the audience through their performance, in which they have made a great deal of effort. Finally, I wish the premiere event with great success.

The world-renowned ballet choreographer, Hamburg ballet artistic director John Neumeier is invited by the Central Ballet of China (National Ballet of China) to stage his two ballet works, Song of the Earth and Spring and Fall. From 12th to 14th of May, 2017, the Chinese artists will perform these two modern ballet masterpieces for Chinese audience at Beijing Tianqiao Theater.

Master John Neumeier arrived in Beijing and directed the dancers during the early rehearsing. On April 7th, 2017 the Central Ballet of China held a grand press conference, in which Master John Neumeier gave detailed introduction of the creating background and artistic features of his ballets. At the same time, he talked to the media about his new creative ideas for the two ballets.

He said: The two ballets, Song of the Earth and Spring and Fall, would join to start with Spring and end with Spring in the upcoming ballet galas. This is original. It is also for the first time to show my works in such a way, which is a unique version made for the National Ballet of China. In English, the word "spring" is a season, and also means "spring up"; "fall" is a season, and also means "fall down", symbolizing the dancers kept jumping, falling, might fail, also try. So, the ballets not only show the cycle of seasons, moreover, also the cycle of lives.

For premieres in China, Master John Neumeier would combine some distinct Chinese cultural elements into the movements, costumes and up-stage backdrops of his ballet Song of the Earth. Therefore, the ballet is presented to Chinese audience a unique "NBC Version".

Song of the Earth
Music: Gustav Mahler (The six songs based on ancient Chinese poems)
World premiere: Paris Opera Ballet, 2015)

Spring and Fall
Music: Antonin Dvorak (Serenade for Strings, E major, op.22)
World premiere: 10 October 1994, Le Grand Theatre, Geneva

Director: John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UswNDvj6yjA

Two weeks ago I checked the map on ROH site for Royal Ballet on HD screens. I was puzzled, because they listed the US cinemas one by one, but there is no information about US distributors. Finally, by googling I found that "we actually have one distributor who deals with all our international cinemas, including all those in the US." Those ROH guys might think the US is as small as the islands, so they can deal with the US cinemas one by one!

I went to see The Golden Age in cinema yesterday. I have watched both 1983 and 2007 versions on YouTube, and liked this ballet very much, especially Shostakovich's music and the four white duets. Every time when I watch a ballet made with Shostakovich's music, I feel amazed how he made music so dance-able, since his big and thick glasses must cause trouble to dance for himself.

Krysanova was absolutely brilliant. I just hope she could dance more to show her outstanding technique yesterday. It seems that she also danced as Rita in the Golden Age. Hope I could have a chance to see it. I have seen her dancing in The Flames of Paris, The Bright Stream, Swan Lake, Spartacus, La Sylphide, Giselle, Jewels and Don Quixote in theaters. As long as she is on stage, she is shining and radiant, no other else can cover her sparkling.

To me, Skvortsov fits gentlemen-type of roles rather than heroic as Boris. But, his dramatic performance and excellent partnering, together with super musical and lovely Kaptsova, made the duets in passion and adorable.

Lopatin's entertainer was a sweet man, very different from Tsiskaridze's. I have seen him dancing the peasants pas de deux in Giselle, that was perfect and unforgettable, undeniably the best!   

As long as Lobuhkin is on stage, he performs obsessively in strong technique and dramatic ability. He was a sophisticated actor as Yashka. However, I am, kind of, confused with the role of Yashka. He is cruel and dark, or just a jealousy man, who killed Lyuska with guilty of manslaughter, not murder?

I thought there were some problems in signal transformation for broadcasting of yesterday. A scene in Act II: on the seashore fishermen were dancing, women dancing; then Rita turned up in search of Boris, Rita and Boris dancing in duet. The lighting was supposed to be blue, according to [D.Shostakovich ballet "The Golden Age" 2007] on YouTube. But yesterday it was in light green, and the faces of dancers looked all very pale.

3 hours ago, Helene said:

They're switched to YouTube's newly-launched rival, Facebook Livestreaming.

Probably, because of the fees? WorldBalletDay should be registered as ORG site, since this is a non-profit site(organization). Then, they can avoid some fees.  

Last night it was pretty good and smooth. How come it become so blocked now？！

Why they would not use youtube for streaming any more? 

23 minutes ago, sandik said:

Thanks so much for the help -- when you search the Pathe site, these locations don't show up.  Where did you find these?

I found the information from Fathom Events site:
http://www.fathomevents.com/event/bolshoi-the-golden-age

Click the orange button [Buy Tickets] and input your zip code.

Then you see the movie theaters marketed with orange location-icons.

Those are the theaters where you can see the ballet on screen.

After the successful premiere:

On 8/26/2016 at 2:52 PM, sandik said:

So far it looks like they're not available in or near Seattle -- phooey.

AMC Pacific Place 11
600 Pine S.
Ste. 400
Seattle, WA  98101

AMC Southcenter 16
3600 Southcenter Mall
Tukwila, WA  98188

Casting for The golden Age on Oct. 16th, 2016 has been published.

Sergei Polunin And Director Steven Cantor

Discuss Their New Documentary, 《Dancer》

Sergei Polunin Documentary

Dancer (2016) - On International movie database site http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5097070/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Release Dates：

USA     16 September 2016     (limited)
Switzerland     25 September 2016     (Zurich Film Festival)
UK     8 October 2016     (London Film Festival)

The imdb site says: This movie has been released on amazon.com, for "Watch Now From $3.99 (SD) on Amazon Video".

《Dancer》 Official Trailer 1 (2016) -

Exclusive clip from 《DANCER》 with Sergei Polunin

Composer Ludwig Minkus
Choreography Natalia Makarova

Premiere of this production: 17-21 September 2016

Performing by National Ballet of China

Location: Tian Qiao Theater, Beijing, China

Interview with Ballet Maestro - Xu Gang

Ballet La Bayadere is one of the classical ballet masterpieces, a ballet requires perfect interpretation of a classical ballet drama, especially classical beauty of the grand classical. For the National Ballet of China, staging La Bayadere is a huge challenge!

The NB of China has begun rehearsals for the ballet La Bayadere, which will be staged in Natalia Makarova’s version. It is the first new ballet production of the upcoming season. For about a month, the dancers had been rehearsing under Assistant Choreographer Olga Yevreinoff. Rehearsing for the leading parts are the dancers Zhang Jian, Cao Shuci, Wang Ye, Xu Yan, Qiu Yunting, Fang Mengying, Ma Xiaodong, Xun Ruichen and Zhang Yao.

Under N. Makarova rehearsal guidance, we must follow the rules of the most basic elements in classical ballet - the five positions and etc.. Our dancers have excellent classical ballet training. During the rehearsal we have had high-intensity classes to learn the background of ballet La Bayadere, its story, the  characters, ballet technique, music  and etc.

The theater has started intense rehearsal schedule for La Bayadere from mid-July. We have invited the world-famous Ballet Maestro Natalia Makarova to attend our final rehearsal personally for her own adaptation of La Bayadere.

In her La Bayadere, N. Makarova concentrates her wisdom and experience in classical ballet masterpieces. There are few greater challenges in the classical ballet repertoire than La Bayadere. Although having difficulty and challenge, we will make this classical ballet exquisitely carved, perfectly rigorous presented in front of the audience.

This is the first time for us to stage the complete ballet La Bayadere. In 1996 and 2012 we had performed the most famous scene from this ballet, known as The Kingdom of the Shades.

During the rehearsal process, the young actors in our theater have shown their good classical ballet technique, especially some young dancers who are going to perform the major character roles: Xu Yan, Qiu Yunting, etc. We are expecting accomplished performances from them.

Assistant Choreographer, Olga Evreinoff, comes to class very day from 9:30am to 5:00pm for daily basic training courses in morning and rehearsals in afternoon, only taking one hour for lunch break. She endures knee pain, standing in the classroom to teach us every dance segment, each beat rhythm. She has won admiration  from every one in NB of China.

References:

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102wvk9.html
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_473f97a00102wvw7.html

In the G20 evening gala the solo ballet dancer in Swan Lake is Sun Yimeng, she and all 24 corp dancers are from Beijing Dance Academy. Sun was a 1st prize winner of senior women program in Helsinki International Ballet Competition 2016.

It turns out that Swan Lake became the most talked program of the gala performances on Chinese websites. Beautiful, amazing, ..., applause was from all over, although some ballet professionals were unhappy to see dancing in water. "it is dangerous", "it is insulting ballet art", ...!   

According to comments I read from internet, the dancers were having special shoes to prevent them slip and fall in water.

During the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou, an evening gala titled "Hangzhou is Most Memorable" was performed on Sunday night, September 4, 2016. The programs in the show cover traditional, classical, Chinese and western music and dances, including Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

Quote

The director of the show, Zhang Yimou, revealed stories from behind the stage during an interview with China's Central Television.

Swan Lake dance over water uses new technology

Zhang revealed that high-tech holography was used during the show, which presented the relations between humans and images. "The technology was commonly used in indoor shows during recent years, while for outdoor performances, especially on the surface of water, in a purely natural scene, it was probably the first time it was used", Zhang said. "It was more difficult than the opening ceremony of the Olympics." Zhang masterminded the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Swan Lake show in the gala combines holographic images and real performers, Zhang said.

"Dancing Swan Lake on the West Lake is quite special, we jokingly said that it is probably the first dance on a real lake since the creation of the classic Swan Lake", said Zhang.

References:

Behind the scenes of the stunning G20 Summit night gala

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2016-09/05/content_26700949.htm

To me the most interesting program probably is

Thank you for posting! I have been hoping to get chance to see what Ratmansky's new 'Sleeping Beauty' looks like.

Very interesting clips! Without 180 degree extensions, Aurora and Fairies are even more lovely and cute. The dancers look more careful and with exceptional caution, therefore, they seem to dance in front of Emperor and Empress.

One thing about the costumes in this production is very different from my imagination. I remember that Ratmansky says: "In the old days, you could not show your underwear to Emperor and Empress."
So, I guess that the bell-shaped skirts would still look like bells when the dancers were turning, maybe, about 120 degree or less, such as the skirt of Lilac Fairy in the 3rd video from 5:15.
Actually, the skirts of Aurora and other Fairies would turn to be flat, like tutus.

I could definitely be convinced to see some Grigorivich if we get Obratsova dancing the lead. I just don't wan to sit through a bunch of Zakharova.

Yes, Obratsova as Rita, Krysanova as Lyuska!!

Little bit disappointed! I would love to see Paquita and La Bayadere (again). For The Bright Stream, why couldn't they change the casting? Maybe, having Svetlana Lunkina, The Bright Stream could attract more north American audiences?

• Grigorovich/Shostakovich: The Golden Age
• Van Manen/Britten: Frank Bridge Variations; León, Lightfoot/Richter, Beethoven: Short Time Together; Ratmansky/Desyatnikov: Russian Seasons
• Possokhov/Demutsky: A Hero for Our Time

I love to see these modern ballets! From watching The Golden Age on YouTube, I like it very much, especially the four duets by Rita and Boris, very expressive and emotional duets. Plus, Shostakovich's music is fantastic!
Who would dance Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty this time? Very interesting! ABT should have broadcasted Ratmansky's new S.B. to compete.

But, I didn't like the new set design in Act I. The costume colors were in low contrast and low saturation, too low. And, that was a cloudy day! So, the scene looked very flat on the big screen. I miss the sunny Spain!

I have checked the old scene design in Act I of Bolshoi's Don Quixote. In old design the costume-colors are more dynamic. The timing is in later afternoon, a sunny day, so there is some lighting from the right side of the stage. The lighting effect makes the dancers and the whole scene have more stereo perceptional appeal.

I just found this info :

Bolshoi 16 April 2016
La Bayadere
Nikia Yulia Stepanova