Listings

NCPA's Production of Verdi's La Traviata

Date: April 23-24 - 7 pm

Venue: NCPA Opera House

Price: 100-880 yuan

La Traviata is the last part of 'Popular Trilogy' by Verdi, the Italian romanticist composing master. It's also one of the best-selling classical works in the world opera history. The original version of the story is from Dumas Fils' famous novel Lady of the Camellias. The whole opera consists of three acts. It was initially performed in Teatro La Fenice on Mar 6, 1853. After further adaptation, it became one of the most popular works in different opera houses universally and was performed again and again. Many arias with elegant melody enjoy great popularity and are engraved on the mind of the audience. Among Verdi's pieces, it has the greatest number of famous selections, which can be compete with Bizet's Carmen. Dumas Fils once hailed: 50 years later, people may not remember my novel, but Verdi makes it immortal. In 2010, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) has organized an international crew. The world top conducting maestro, Lorin Maazel, is invited to be its conductor and Artistic Director. The renowned Italian stage designer, Benito Leonori, will create a magic stage set in NCPA with flowing light and shadow as well as presenting a classical and fantastic banquet for vision and hearing. The story is set in 19th century Paris. The famous courtesan Violetta is appointed Lady of the Camellias because of her love for camellias. Violetta is moved by the true love of a young man, Alfredo and they fall in love with each other. She leaves the luxurious Paris social circles. However, Alfredo's father comes to stop their love. Under his father's begging, for her lover's future and his family's reputation, Violetta chooses to give up with great agony and returns to her previous life in Paris. Alfredo, who doesn't know the truth, can't understand her behaviors and shamed her in public. The sickness of Violetta, who has tuberculosis, becomes heavier because of her lover's hate. Alfredo's father can't continue to bare the upset of his inner heart and at last tells his son the truth. But it's too late, Violetta has left the world lonely, with endless aspiration, just like camellias, wither and fall.

Contact: 400-610-3721

The Swan Lake By Russian State Ballet

Date: April 23-24 - 7.30 pm

Venue: Rulun Lecture Hall of Renmin University

Price: 60-880 yuan

Russian State Ballet is directed by Russian Ministry of Culture and has visited more than 80 countries and regions with international best level. The troupe has world tour in Germany, US, Italy, Spain, England, Japan etc. gaining success and recognition. Tchaikovsky's instantly recognizable music set against the wonderfully dark story of good against evil; Swan Lake is one of the most famous and loved of all ballets. This production by Evgeny Amosov, Artistic Director of The Russian National Ballet Theatre, is heralded around the world. Swan Lake's glamorous set is evocative of the Russian Imperial world in which the ballet was created, while the haunting moonlit lakeside is perfect for the tragic conflict of the human and spirit worlds and allows the audience to be swept away in the vulnerability of Odette/Odile.

Contact: 400-610-3721