World’s top ballet stars make en pointe stand

THE world’s top ballet dancers will be gathering in Shanghai for the “Gala of St Petersburg Ballet Stars” at Shanghai Oriental Art Center tomorrow night.

Eight programs featuring both ballet classics and modern pieces will be performed. Among them, Pas de deux from Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake,” choreographed by Marius Petipa; an excerpt from Igor Stravinsky’s “Romeo and Juliet,” choreographed by Leonid Lavrovsky; Pas de deux from Pyotr Schenk’s “Bluebeard,” choreographed by Vasily Medvedev after Marius Petipa; Moritz Moszkowski’s “Walts,” choreographed by Vasilij Vainonen; as well as choreographers Edward Clug’s “Duet from Tango” and Eric Gauthier’s “Ballet 101.”

Star names announced for this year’s Shanghai gala include Mikhailovsky Theatre’s leading dancers Irina Perren and Marat Shemiunov, as well as soloist Julian Mackay and Mariinsky Ballet’s guest soloist Denis Matvienko. More dancers are yet to be unveiled.

In cooperation with St Petersburg Dance Open International Ballet Festival, Shanghai Oriental Art Center introduced the gala to the city for the first time last November, inviting more than a dozen ballet dancers from six of the top Russian ballet troupes.

This year, Shanghai will be the only stop on the gala’s world tour in China.

Don’t miss the distinguished charm of Russian ballet culture in a breathtaking two-hour performance.

Date: November 26, 7:15pm

Tickets: 80-1,080 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong New Area