Pas de Deux of Odetta (featuring Bai Shuxiang) and Prince (Sun Zhengting) photo by Ao Enhong
In May, the 19th International Ballet Festival at Moscow Bolshoi Theatre; in July, the 37th International Ballet Festival at Hamburg State Opera House; in August, the Edinburgh Festival at Edinburgh Festival Theatre in Britain; in September, Festival of China at John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington D. C. In 2011, National Ballet of China (NBC) puts the performances on the stages of top theaters of other countries in succession and presents the brand-new image of Chinese ballet to the audiences from all over the world. Famous dancer Bai Shuxiang was very proud of the performances of NBC in the world and held forth on the history of NBC enthusiastically. Actually, during the course of the growth and development of Chinese ballet, there exists the consistent concerns and helps from the international friends. As the witness of the early international exchange of Chinese ballet, Bai Shuxiang reviewed the past and reflected on the present, being full with myriad emotions while discussing with the journalist.
Chance favors the prepared mind. Through the studious efforts, Bai Shuxiang came into prominence at the age of 18 and was chosen as the star part. “At that time, the costume, light and stage art of ‘Swan Lake’ were totally new to me. Even I had never watched the original movie of Swan Lake.” She said that besides all these new things, there existed the barrier to the acceptance as well because at that time, many people did not get used to the dance in which actors and actresses wore so little and tripped embracing each other. “It is Pyotr Gusev that led us into the pure art world and instructed us how to be concentrated on creating characters and presenting the beauty.” In order to be different from the styles of other countries and train the Chinese choreographers and teachers, Gusev specially organized Li Chenxiang, Wang Shiqi, Li Chenlian, Zhang Xu, Wu Fukang to take part in the choreographing and rehearsal of some episodes of the dance.
Brimming over with a vigor, Bai and her companions studied diligently and worked hard day and night, eventually accomplishing the mission after 4 months. Henceforth, there is the delighting scene at the beginning of this article. “Premier Zhou Enlai was extremely satisfied with our performance, so did those experts from the Soviet Union.” Bai concluded. After “Swan Lake”, Gusev and other experts struck the iron while it was hot with Chinese ballet dancers and put two traditional ballet dance “Le Corsaire” and “Giselle” on the stage successively.
In October, 1964, at Guangzhou Autumnal Trade Fair of Export Commodities, “The Red Detachment of Women”, the first national ballet dance drama of new China made a show, which had caused a great stir. The image of “Qionghua” represented by Bai Shuxiang struck root in the hearts of the audiences. After watching the show, the dancers of Cuba National Ballet Troupe that performed in Guangzhou as well were so excited that they rushed onto the stage and embraced Chinese dancers. With the lingering vision to enjoy the show, Alonso, the famous Cuban ballet dancer could not contain himself and heaped on praises, “It is the first time in the history of ballet to see the toe dance with weapons in hand. It is magnificent and you are so great!”
In 1990s, Alonso revisited China and told the receptionists as soon as he got off the airplane, “I know Bai Shuxiang from China, what is always on my mind is this Chinese peer.” Recalling all these, Bai Shuxiang still couldn’t help feeling moved, “We have acted so many identical roles and it is the ballet that connects us, which will last forever. The friendship between us does not need so many verbal expressions and could be felt by each other even we are separated by a far distance. We still remember each other, although we have not met for quite a long time.”
Although Bai Shuxiang officially left the stage of ballet dance in 1989, her earnest concerns and instructions for Chinese ballet are continuous for so many years. With regard to the performance of Chinese ballet of this year on the world stage, Bai also has the acute and profound thinking.
“In the past, we went abroad mainly to carry out the visiting exchange performances. But now, ballet dancers should put on the tour performances or commercial shows, which are not steady and they have to make a shift from here to there with great mobility. It is very hard for them, but they are so devoted to the performance. Just as you know, Chinese ballet dancers frequently win the great awards at the international ballet competitions, which means the performances of Chinese ballet dance have been fully recognized by the world.” Bai is greatly gratified and proud of Chinese ballet of today.
“The Chinese ballet dance in combination with Chinese and western characteristics has its own advantages in reinforcing the Chinese cultural soft power in the international competition and improving the national image.” Bai Shuxiang said, the ballet art originated from the west, but we had endowed it with Chinese national characteristics and cultural elements, therefore, Chinese ballet assumed concurrently functions of art exchange between China and foreign countries and disseminating Chinese culture in the world.
