San Francisco Ballet returned to the stage of Beijing’s NCPA this October, during the company’s second visit to China, with Helgi Tomasson’s Giselle. Dancing Giselle was Tan Yuan Yuan, a Shanghainese ballerina who has now been performing with San Francisco Ballet for 20 years. Her return to the Chinese stage brought enthusiastic Beijingers out in hordes on Friday night.
Although Tan exuded youthful energy throughout the first act, the maturity of her dancing belied her age. She was, however, a marvellous second act Giselle. Her waif-like thinness and ethereal dancing are perfect for the haunting Wilis. Every movement had a depth of sincerity to it that added a mournful dynamic – even her expressive hands were melancholy.
These are just some highlights from a longer review, published on 26th October 2015 by Bachtrack. Please click here to read the full review.
Header image copyright Conrad Dy Liacco
Zhēn de Gender 