Suzhou Ballet's new work "Serenade - The Rite of Spring" was unveiled at the Shanghai Grand Theater. (Photo provided by the performer)
The melodious "Serenade" tells romance and tenderness, and the wild "Rite of Spring" brings strength and beauty. Last night, Suzhou Ballet's new work "Serenade - The Rite of Spring" was unveiled at the Shanghai Grand Theater. Tan Yuanyuan, a famous ballet artist who is busy behind the scenes, ushered in a "new role". "As an actor, I have performed "Serenade" many times and I have a special liking for it. Now, as the artistic director of Suba, I work with young actors to restore the classics, which gives me a feeling of 'breaking out of the cocoon and being reborn.'" Tan Yuanyuan said .
In recent years, the focus of Tan Yuanyuan's work and life has gradually returned to China. He not only cooperated with the Shanghai Grand Theater to produce the dance drama "White Snake", but also served as the director of the Dance Collaborative Innovation Center of the Shanghai Theater Academy and the artistic director of Suba. "As long as my physical condition allows, if I have the opportunity, I am eager to dance on stage again and perform a different new role for the audience." Tan Yuanyuan is showing another side of his artistic life: "I look forward to mutual empowerment and mutual success with everyone. Nourish, create new artistic masterpieces, and push Chinese stories to the world stage."
Self-discipline and perseverance are the steps to embark on the road to ballet
Accompanied by the solemn and powerful melody of Tchaikovsky's "Serenade for Strings", the dancers It moves and changes lightly, like a fairy bathing in the moonlight, showing pure beauty. First performed in 1934, "Serenade" is an important work of George Balanchine, the "Father of American Ballet". It used avant-garde creative concepts to open up new development ideas for ballet. In 2024, which coincides with the 90th anniversary of the work, Suba has introduced the original New York City Ballet version of "Serenade".
For Tan Yuanyuan, Balanchine's works have special meaning. At that time, at the age of 18, she first joined the San Francisco Ballet and held a contract as a soloist, which made some foreign colleagues unconvinced. Although he felt lonely and stressed, Tan Yuanyuan gritted his teeth and persevered and worked harder in the rehearsal hall and on the stage. Opportunities always come to those who are prepared - not long after, the original lead actor was accidentally injured the day before the performance, and the leader urgently found Tan Yuanyuan to replace him. That dance was the work "Stravinsky Violin Concerto" choreographed by Balanchine, with complex rhythms and difficult and fast movements. "I watched the video repeatedly to figure out the details of the movements, and it only took one night to 'gnaw' it." Since then, Tan Yuanyuan has established a firm foothold on overseas ballet stages. On April 9, 2018, she won the "San Francisco Mayor's Art Award", the title of "San Francisco's highest artistic honor". This day was also named "Tan Yuanyuan Day" in San Francisco.
Tan Yuanyuan firmly believes: "The art of ballet is cruel and beautiful, and actors need self-discipline, hard work, and tenacity to succeed." On February 14 this year, Tan Yuanyuan danced "Marguerite and Armand" at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. Farewell to San Francisco Ballet. After the news came out, the ballet's ticketing system collapsed due to the influx of enthusiastic audiences. That night, amid 10 minutes of cheers and applause from the audience, Tan Yuanyuan slowly walked to the center of the stage, knelt down on one knee and bowed, bringing an end to his nearly 30-year dance career. After returning to China, Tan Yuanyuan was busy between Shanghai and Suzhou. He also served as the director of the Dance Collaborative Innovation Center of Shanghai Theater Academy and the artistic director of Suba. "When I return to my alma mater, I hope to exert my international influence and contribute to the construction of dance disciplines in Shanghai."
A dancer's life, using his body and music
"A dancer's life, using his body and music "Dealing." Tan Yuanyuan said that "Serenade" is recognized in the dance industry as a classic that combines music and dance. After she became the artistic director of Suzhou Ballet, she began to introduce Balanchine's "Serenade". "The rhythm of "Serenade" changes very quickly, the dance movements must be flexible and clean, and it also requires actors to have a keen sense of music." Tan Yuanyuan believes that Balanchine's work not only brings high-quality artistic enjoyment to the audience, but also improves the dance skills of young actors. , stage performance has been comprehensively improved. So she wrote to the Balanchine Foundation, and after repeated communication and coordination, Suzhou Ballet finally received permission.
"A 90-year-old work can be passed down to this day. There is a lot worth learning from it." Tan Yuanyuan said. Every performance of Balanchine's work must be produced according to the standards established by the Foundation. To this end, New York City Ballet's creative director Rebecca Messer was invited to China to guide rehearsals, and the copyright owner also sent a thick "costume guide" that "indicates the size, color and other data of the costumes." , even a fabric sample is attached, and there must be no deviation at all. "
In sharp contrast to "Serenade", "The Rite of Spring" carries a powerful impact of raw power, which is exclusive to American choreographer Len Tate. Lee’s distinctive style. "The Rite of Spring breaks the original ballet rules, changes the music rhythm, and emphasizes the explosive power of the body. It is a 'touchstone' for dancers." This time the two works are "combined into one", which makes Suba's youth The actors faced great challenges, which "also made the young actors more energetic." (Reporter Xuan Jing)
(Wen Wei Po)
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