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Suzhou Ballet Retells the Story of "Carmen" in a Modern Way


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Suzhou Ballet premiered "Carmen" at the Grand Theater of Suzhou Culture & Arts Center on the evening of September 13. This is also the opening show of Suzhou Jinji Lake Arts Festival 2014 as the first modern version of the classic story in the country.

The four-act opera "Carmen" composed by Georges Bizet in 1874 tells the tragic love between a Gypsy girl Carmen and a soldier Don Jose in early 19th century. This is also the last work by the talented French composer. Local young artists use their excellent skills to depict the ill-fated lovers to the classical music but in a brand new way.

In addition to the traditional Gypsy style, the choreographers also introduce modern elements and performing skills to enrich the characters and the story.

"We want to find the most appropriate way to present Carmen," said Li Ying the art director of Suzhou Ballet. "This upgrade version allows the audience to relive the classical work and at the same time to think about our lives today."

Suzhou Ballet is the sixth in the country as well as the first and only professional ballet troupe in Jiangsu Province. Its repertoire features revised versions of some of the most popular ballet programs on the world stage, including "Romeo and Juliet" that premiered in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2010, "Coppelia" (2011), "Legend of Beauty" (2012), and "Nutcracker" (2013).


September 15, 2014