China's best-known film director Zhang Yimou remade his movie masterpiece Raise the Red Lantern into a ballet in 2001, which was performed by NBC with music from the Symphony Orchestra of China. The ballet combines elements of Western dance and classic Peking Opera and is brilliantly staged.
For the first time in ballet history, dancers in the ballet wear traditional Chinese qipao (stylish and often tight-fitting dresses) while performing. The mixture of Peking Opera, qipao and Western ballet makes a fascinating performance for audiences.
A modern ballet of cinematic range and with exquisite costumes, the work has been performed every year since its debut in 2001.
|