Helen Chen

fendrock, Three years ago, I, as a Chinese, would almost incline to your view. I frequented the theatre for the overseas ballet companies, but never did I sit once in the theatre, watching my own companies' performances, until three years ago. I remember clearly that night it was La Sylphide by National Ballet of China. The performance by no means lost out to most of the overseas companies ever visiting China, neither technically nor artistically. That night became the turning point of my passion for the Chinese ballet companies. I admit that our Chinese dancers still need to improve themselves in lots of aspects, esp the inner side. The other problem we are facing is China failed to produce creative ballet choregraphers. I do not agree with you on the preconditions of "good ballet". If so, what do you think of ballet in Cuba? Here in China, we have a comparatively young history but we have great potential, full of vitality and enthusiasm. Isn't that promising enough? What makes you so repelling? True that nowadays our Chinese dancers pay too much attention to the ballet competition, which I am not for it. Ballet is not meant for the dancers to compete, but to perform; it is not meant to stimulate the audience but make them enjoy. However I fully understand their feeling, that is to be recognized by the western world through the competition. frendrock, if you have chance, do have a ballet trip to China as Jeannie did. I think you will have a different view then.

To Estelle, sorry, my friends didn't go for the premier of Lacotte's Coppelia in Shanghai. I am not able post their thoughts now. Maybe next time. To Kevin, thanks for the link. So far I am not aware of Shanghai Ballet and NBC's trip itinerary to the U.S. NBC will premier Swedish Choreographer Perl Isberg(sp?)'s Coppelia on 1 May which is said to be a modern version.

Hi, Kevin, it will be held from July 15th to July 30th, 2002. http://bulgarianspace.com/music/varna_ibc/

Hi, Kevin, I learnt from previous posts that IBC Varna will take place in July.

Estelle, thanks a lot for the answer. It is very interesting that Mr. Lacotte did not charge Shanghai Ballet a single penny for his version. Guess why? As his wife Jesline ( sp?), the jury member of 2nd Shanghai International ballet Competition of last year, found her grandmother's former residence in Shanghai thanks to the help of Shanghai local authority. Mr. Lacotte was very appreciative, thus this cooperation. Unfortunately I stay in Beijing, and have to miss this performance, but my friends in Shanghai will go and see. Will let you know their impression. It is said this "Coppelia" will also tour US this year.

The National Ballet of Cuba will perform Ms. Alonso's Don Quixote in Beijing and Shanghai during April / May. They visited China twice in 1960's led by Ms Alonso and achieved great success.

Estelle, you mentioned POB school's version, was that choreographed by Mr. Pierre Lacotte? Just for your information, M. Pierre Lacotte is now in Shanghai for staging his version of "Coppelia" for Shanghai Ballet, which is to be premiered on 9 April.

Kevin, they will perform "Swan Lake". As you know, Swan lake is always hot here. And we have another Russian company in late Jan / early Feb: Russian National Theatre Ballet, accompanied by Russian National Philharmonic (?) with "Swan Lake","Nutcracker" and "Sleeping Beauty". Have no clue whether they are worth seeing or not. Too many Russian companies visiting here. Most of them are simply not as good as our Chinese local companies.

Yes, I believe it won't be Moscow City Ballet as they are touring Beijing on those days.

Hi,chieme, the video tape or VCD is not for sale in China yet. One of our Shanghai friend made the recording from the television. I wonder which city you are? I have one colleague who will travel to US next week, will stop in L.A. If I make a copy for you, is it possible for you to collect it in her hotel in L.A.? Please feel free to contact me: mh_chen1@yahoo.com

Jeannie, the following is posted on behalf of Wa Wa in Shanghai. She just registered here today, could only post messages by herself starting from tomorrow. Quote “Hello, Jeannie.” it is my first greeting to you. I hope everything is smoothing your hand when you are in Shanghai. If you need any help, do not hesitate to call me. Hu xin xin has posted my connect number above. As you missed the first and the second days, I would like to add something. On the first day, there was a quite competitive danseur—KE Da from Shanghai ballet tour. He was extremely perfect with his La Esneralda solo. He was FLYING in the air. His marvelous piouette won everybody’s clapps. On the second day, YAO Wei did not perform as good as FANG Zhong Jing (another winner of last Helsinki IBC).But anyway, both of them will definitely dance on the last session. And one of them will win the gold-medal for Junior,just the problem that who get better luck on 18th’s competition. I notice you metioned LI Jun(China-Beijing) in your report. I was told by HOU Qing Feng that LI got a trouble last night. Something was wrong with his toes. So when he dance the solo, we could see he did his bet despite feet-ache. It is no double that he will enter 2nd round. but I wish him good luck. WA WA Unquote

Hi, Jeannie, many thanks for your detailed sum up. It's quite interesting to read your English version together with our Shanghai friends' Chinese version reports. The Swan Lake presented in opening ceremony of Shanghai IBC was danced by Sun Shenyi with Ji Pingping as his new partner, instead of Fan Xiaofeng. Fan and Sun will dance the same Swan Lake after the IBC, say either on 24 or 26 Aug. Hope you can catch that!

Told by Shanghai friends, Ms. Natalia Makarova did not appear in the Jury as expected. A pity. Finally 98 dancers will participate in this competition, incl. Anton from Slovenia: silver medal winner at Varna in 1998 Aurora from France: first prize winner in International Dance Competition of Paris last year(Junior group), and Sandra from Austria, first prize winner in Austria Competition, and of course many others....