Beijing Dance Academy Resident Dance Company's Butterfly Lovers

The Beijing Dance Academy Resident Dance Company presents a collection of classical Chinese dances at the Ahmanson Theatre.

First half – a collection of classical Chinese dance

•Lotus Flowers in June – female group dance
Choreographer: Zhou Ping

•Infinite – Male Solo 2005
Choreographer: Gao Chengming
Music: Tan Dun
Solo dancer: Wang Shengfeng

The one is born of the Tao, the two is born of the one, the three is born of the two, myriad things are born of the three, and finally return to the one. It keeps on going infinitely. This dance reveals the profound Chinese philosophy through its body movements with harmony by motion and rest. 

•Waist Dancing of Chu Women – Female trio dance 1997
Choreographer: Sun Ying
Music: Classical tune
Dancers: Liu Xiao, Guo Jiao, Liu Yan

Legend has it that Chu Ling Wang, the King of Chu Kingdom, was fond of slim waist, and Chu women pride themselves for slim waist. It is a period when primitive religious rites were very popular, worshiping gods and spirits through dance became a fashion. This dance derives from historical information of Chu culture with reference of the “feather figures” on bronze drums unearthed near the border of Hunan and Guangxi provinces. It intends to show the simple and innocent dance style of pre-Qin period, magnanimously wild dance that is in contrast to subsequent dance style that emphasizes graceful beauty and charm. This dance is a classical teaching repertoire of Beijing Dance Academy.

•Singing while Treading – female group dance 1997
Choreographer: Sun Ying
Music: Sun Ying
Dancers: Liu Xiao, Chen Shanshan etc.

Singing and dancing to the rhythm of foot treading is a popular form of dance in ancient China. The dance form was lost in areas dominated by Han nationality but it still can be found in some dances in remote areas where ethnic minorities live today. This dance was choreographed from cultural vestige of Wei, Jin and North/South Dynasties as well as the dance images found on excavations special to ancient Jiang Han and Qin Huai area.

•Emperor Qin Shihuang Calls on Troops – male group dance 1995
Choreographer: Chen Weiya
Music: Jiangzhou Drums
Dancers: Wang Zihan, Ou Siwei, Li Nan, Wang Shengfeng

The original idea of this dance comes from the terra-cotta warriors of Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C) unearthed in Xi’an, China, which are regarded as one of the ten wonders in the world. It immerses classical Chinese dance techniques with powerful rhythm in Jiangzhou drums. The simple image of Qin warriors represents the heroic bravery of Chinese warriors.

It won first prize of Beijing Dance Competition; gold medalist of choreography and the silver medal for performance at the First CCTV Dance Competition.

•Three Way Crossroads
Choreographers/dancers: Hu Lei, Jiang Yang, Zhang Disha
Music: Cui Jian

The dance is based on Peking Opera performance with a touch of modern dance style. Dancers wear Peking Opera costume but move with modern dance style, a way to express thoughts on life and love of modern society. From technical movements on the surface to cultural heritage exploration, all points to the fact that a product comes from a specific environment. It embodies both nostalgia for tradition and perfection of modern feelings.

View video of Beijing Dance Academy Butterfly Lovers.

The second half is dance drama: The Butterfly Lovers – China’s Romeo and Juliet

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