National Ballet of China
The National Ballet of China (NBC), known in China as the Central Ballet Troupe was founded on 31 December 1959.
The ballet company works from the Tianqiao Theater, this was specifically built for NBC in 1959, and it was renovated in 2001. This theatre is one of a handful of such theatres in China that specialize in ballet and opera performances.
History
In 1954, the first ballet school in China, Beijing Dance School, was established, and in the following years ballets such as Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet were performed.[2] Later in 1959 the National Ballet of China was founded as the Experimental Ballet Company of the Beijing Dance School.[3] Two persons made their mark on both the school and the company - Dai Ailian who was the principal of the school and one of the ballet company directors, and Pyotr Gusev who instituted the Russian training system that formed the technical foundation for the company.[3]
During the
The Company
The current director is Feng Ying (冯英), with Wang Quanxing (王全兴) as deputy, and Wang Caijun (王才军) the répétiteur. The company has its own orchestra, which is directed and conducted by Zhang Yi (张艺).[3][6] Former directors include choreographer Li Chengxiang.[7]
The company employs over 70 dancers.[8] Many NBC dancers have won gold, silver and bronze medals at various international ballet competitions.
Principal dancers (2018–2019)
- Zhang Jian (张剑)
- Wang Qimin (王启敏)
- Ma Xiaodong (马晓东)
Repertoire
NBC has toured internationally and produced and performed many Chinese and Western ballets. According to its current director Feng Ying, there are three components in the repertoire of the company: Chinese ballets, 19th century Western classic, and 20th century ballet.[5] They have also collaborated on contemporary dance pieces.[4] Their repertoire includes:
Chinese works
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Western works
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References
- ^ http://www.ballet.org.cn/en/jutuanjieshao.htm About NBC at the website of the National Ballet of China
- ISBN 978-0313361180.
- ^ a b c d Sanjoy Roy (11 August 2011). "Step-by-step guide to dance: National Ballet of China". The Guardian.
- ^ a b Sarah Crompton (26 July 2008). "National Ballet of China: 'Our conductor killed himself in his lunch hour'". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b Kevin Ng (1 March 2009). "Feng Ying, Artistic Director, National Ballet of China". balletco. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013.
- ^ "National Ballet of China".
- ^ "舞剧《红色娘子军》编导之一李承祥逝世". Xinhua. 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
- ^ "Dancers". National Ballet of China.
- ^ Paul Kooperman, (11 August 2009 09:15), Melbourne: Reviews: Raise the Red Lantern by the National Ballet of China, Australian Stage
- ^ Chen Jie (19 April 2011) ChinaDaily.com: The Stage Is Set (accessed 14 Aug 2011)
External links
- Official website (in English)
- National Ballet of China at China.org.cn (in English)