Russia's Bolshoi Theater in Beijing
By admin on 2015-01-06

One of the world's most cel'ebrated art troupes, Russia's Bolshoi Theater, will be in Bei'jing next month, presenting a mostly original repertoire of opera and ballet at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and boasting a cast of 400 performers.

Scheduled to take to the stage from April 14 to May 5, the Bolshoi Theater will open the NCPA Opera Festival with Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin. Ballets The Pharaoh's Daughter and Don Quixote will open the Meet in Beijing Art Festival.

"Known for its glamorous history, striking artistic fea'tures and world-class opera and ballet companies, the visit of Bolshoi Theater will be one of the most celebrated events on the stage in Beijing this year," commented Chen Zuohuang, NCPA's artistic director.

Eugene Onegin, which made its world premiere in Moscow in 1879, will run for from April 24 to 27. The story portrays a selfish hero who lives to re'gret his rejection of a young woman's love and his careless incitement of a fatal duel with his best friend.

Based on the novel by Alex'ander Pushkin and composed by Tchaikovsky, the three-act opera has been popular since its inception.

"The tight-knit plot of the opera, the subtle portrayal of its characters and dramatic music by Tchaikovsky has made Eu'gene Onegin one of the most captivating operas in history," commented critic Liu Xuefeng.

Boasting a star-studded cast, Bolshoi's The Pharaoh's Daugh'ter will make its China pre'miere on April 30.

Created by Russian choreog'rapher Marius Petipa in 1862, The Pharaoh's Daughter has received acclaim for its grand Egyptian style, splendid cos'tumes and spectacular scenes.

The play was considered ideologically immature during Soviet times and was dropped from the company's repertoire until French ballet master Pierre Lacotte breathed new life into the forgotten masterpiece and resurrected Petipa's origi'nal work in 2000.

Don Quixote will hit the NC'PA's stage from May 3 to 5.

"Don Quixote interpreted by the Bolshoi Theater maintains the pure style of Pepita's origi'nal work," explained NCPA ar'tistic director Zhao Ruheng.