Classic opera, ballet and drama tread city boards

A FULLY staged version of “Tosca” will be staged at Daning Theater by Carlo Felice Theater, Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti and Coro Lirico Siciliano from Italy.

“Tosca” is a three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa which premiered in Rome 1900.

The work, based on Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language dramatic play, La Tosca, is a melodramatic piece set in Rome in June 1800, with the Kingdom of Naples’s control of Rome threatened by Napoleon’s invasion of Italy. It contains depictions of torture, murder and suicide, as well as some of Puccini’s best-known lyrical arias like “Recondita armonia,” “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle.”

Italian Soprano Raffaella Angeletti stars as Tosca. She is well-known to Chinese audiences from nine years ago in Turandot in Beijing.

“That was my first visit to China, and I was so impressed by Chinese audiences passion for opera,” said Angeletti, “I saw many young faces here, while most opera audiences in Italy are more aged.”

Date: October 20-21, 7:30pm Venue: Daning Theater

Address: 1222 Pingxingguan Rd Tickets: 280-1,580 yuan

Tel: 3636-8807 AFTER 10-year discussion with Shanghai International Arts Festival, the New York City Ballet finally made its Chinese mainland debut at Shanghai Grand Theater on Thursday. The ballet show, as part of the festival’s program, will run till tomorrow.

Themed on “All Balanchine,” the performance features three masterpieces choreographed by George Balanchine, who is titled as the father of American ballet and co-founder of the New York City Ballet: Serenade, Stravinsky Violin Concerto and Swan Lake.

“This is a big deal for us because we have never been to Chinese mainland since the establishment of the dance company. We feel a lot of excitement and pressure,” said Jonathan Stafford, head of New York City Ballet’s interim artistic team.

“We are very excited to show Shanghai audiences the New York City Ballet’s dynamic, exciting and athletic movement and beautiful artistry.”

Premiering in 1934, the romantic “Serenade” to music by Tchaikovsky is the first original work created by Balanchine in America. It becomes one of the dance company’s signatures.

Throughout his career, Balanchine’s affinity for Igor Stravinsky’s compositions remained constant. “Stravinsky Violin Concerto” is one of witnesses to their longtime friendship and collaboration.

“It is one of Balanchine’s ‘Black-and-White’ ballets. He took away the tutu. All the dancers wear black and white tights,” said Jared Angle, principal dancer of New York City Ballet.

Forgoing elaborate costumes and glorious scenery, Balanchine intended to let audiences focus on music and movement.

Date: Through October 21, 2:00pm (Saturday and Sunday) and 7:30pm (Saturday only)

Tickets: 80-1,080 yuan

Tel: 6386-8686

Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater

Address: 300 People’s Ave