The Bolshoi Ballet returns to China this week, once again staging grand performances in Beijing and Shenzhen. The tour includes two gala concerts and three shows of The Sleeping Beauty in Beijing. Performances run from Wednesday to May 11 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen shows on May 14 and 15 will take place at the Pingshan Theatre. Altogether, this marks another celebrated chapter as the Bolshoi Ballet returns to China.
In particular, in Beijing, the Bolshoi Orchestra will perform under the baton of Pavel Sorokin. By contrast, in Shenzhen, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra will accompany the dancers with Alexei Bogorad conducting. The featured ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, dates back to 1890 and remains a classical masterpiece. Tchaikovsky composed the score, while Marius Petipa designed the choreography based on a fairy tale. The story follows a cursed princess, a magical world, and the redemptive power of true love.
Makhar Vaziev, artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, praised The Sleeping Beauty as ballet’s pinnacle. Decades later, in 1973, Yuri Grigorovich reimagined Petipa’s version with stronger storytelling and emotional intensity. Rather than emphasizing spectacle, this modern staging focuses more on inner meaning. The final act, known for its joy and symbolism, highlights love’s endurance over evil. Dance critic Xiao Suhua described it as a sunlit vision of human spirit and hope.
Notably, star dancers such as Artem Ovcharenko, Elizaveta Kokoreva, and Igor Tsvirko lead the cast. Kristina Kretova, recently named a principal dancer, joins with her husband Tsvirko for the May tour. The Bolshoi Ballet returns to China with excerpts from classics like Swan Lake, The Talisman, and Romeo and Juliet. Through these, gala pieces showcase the finest selections from the company’s historic repertoire. As always, each performance aims to honor the Bolshoi’s long-standing connection with Chinese audiences.
Meanwhile, fans have flooded social media with praise and anticipation for the upcoming shows. On platforms like Weibo and RedNote, many posted ticket stubs and memories from past performances. The Bolshoi Ballet returns to China with heartfelt messages to its growing fanbase. In response, dancers have shared glimpses from rehearsals and local adventures. Ultimately, as the curtains rise again, China’s love for ballet takes center stage.
