National Ballet of China — Classical Ballet *Swan Lake*

The National Ballet of China Established in December 1959, the National Ballet of China (NBC) is composed of top-tier artists trained at professional academies. With the support of society, the company has built upon a solid foundation in the Russian school of ballet while incorporating the strengths and styles of various other traditions. In addition to staging world-renowned classics—such as *Swan Lake*, *Don Quixote*, *Giselle*, *Carmen*, *Onegin*, *The Firebird*, *The Little Mermaid*, *La Bayadère*, *Cinderella*, and *Jewels*—the company has created an extensive repertoire of original works with distinct national characteristics. These include *The Red Detachment of Women*, *Blessing*, *The Yellow River*, *Raise the Red Lantern*, *The Peony Pavilion*, *Chinese New Year*, *Spirit of the Crane*, *Dunhuang*, *The Nine-Colored Deer*, *Blooming Like a Flower*, *Yimeng*, *Century*, *Dream of the Red Chamber*, *Ode to Joy: A Galaxy of Stars*, and *The Chinese Zodiac*. Through these efforts, the NBC has successfully pioneered a path for the development of Chinese ballet—one that achieves a seamless fusion of the classical and the modern, the national and the global. Over the past six decades, the company has achieved remarkable success in talent development, repertoire building, and ballet education. Its artists—including dancers, musicians, and stage designers—have frequently graced the podiums of international competitions and earned recognition among the world’s leading performers. The company’s repertoire now encompasses over 200 Chinese and international works, several of which have become recognized as classics of Chinese art and prominent international cultural brands. As a renowned company with significant global influence, the National Ballet of China serves a dual purpose: it acts as an ambassador for cultural exchange and a window into the humanistic spirit of Chinese culture, while simultaneously striving to elevate the standard of performance domestically. Through initiatives such as "Ballet in Schools," "Ballet in Communities," and programs tailored for children and youth, the company is deeply committed to making high-quality ballet accessible to the public. Guided by the spirit of "unity, pragmatism, self-strengthening, and striving," the National Ballet of China continues to forge ahead, following in the footsteps of its dedicated predecessors toward the realization of its long-cherished centennial dream.