Shanghai Daily news

A German production of a rarely staged but spectacular ballet is part of this year's Shanghai International Arts Festival, writes Ma Dan

Dancers from the German ballet company, Bayerisches Staastsballett, in a scene from “Raymonda,” their debut performance in Shanghai this weekend.

"Raymonda," the last work of Russian ballet master Marius Petipa, will be staged by Germany's renowned Bayerisches Staatsballett when they make their Asian debut in Shanghai tomorrow night.
This new version of their 2001 production has been updated by Ray Barra, a San Francisco-born choreographer who has previously created revised versions of "Don Quixote" and "Swan Lake."
Full-length performances of "Raymonda" are rarely staged but on the weekend the ballet will be presented in its entirety by the Bayerisches Staatsballett which is made up of no fewer than 26 nationalities.
The dancers have won for themselves a worldwide reputation as a dedicated group of artists who have an impressive repertoire of more than 50 major full-length ballets. More than 100 of the company's artists are coming to Shanghai.
The world premiere of "Raymonda" was in 1898 and was danced by the Imperial Ballet at the Maryinsky Theater in St Petersburg, Russia, choreographed by Petipa with a brilliant score by Alexander Glazunow,
Raymonda is a beautiful medieval French countess who is engaged to the knight Jean de Brienne. While the knight is away at the Crusades, a Saracen prince tries to seduce the countess. De Brienne returns to kill his rival and marry the countess.
The ballet throbs with erotic force and emotional conflict as Raymonda is torn between the two men. Barra has kept some important choreographic traditions of Petipa but has intensified the dramatic action around the heroine.
Raymonda is a hugely demanding role for a classical ballerina with five solo variations and a lot of tricky partnering and ensemble work. Just the ballerina's solo variations require superior ballet technique in balance, precision turns and flexible jumps. As well acting ability is essential to illustrate the heroine's deep inner conflict.
Barra once said: "There is no more demanding and multi-layered role for a ballerina in the repertoire. It's a perfect example of how formal classical dance can fuse with psychological human portrayal."
The grand Czardas and Drand Pas Classique Hongrois in the final scene's wedding ceremony lead up to the climax. The latter dance has been designated as a compulsory exercise in many important international  dance competitions.

Date: October 22-24, 7:30pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave
Tickets: 100-1,000 yuan
Tel: 6372-8701, 6372-8702