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Dance opera recounts story behind famous Chinese painting

In 1113, back in China's Song Dynasty, Wang Ximeng, an 18-year-old genius painter, put the finishing touches to his only surviving work, "A Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers", a masterpiece of Chinese painting that was to shine through centuries of time to stun, inspire, and invite awe from everyone who lays eyes on it. Now, after around a thousand years, a reinterpretation of the painting by China Oriental Performing Art Group, "Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting", which re-represented the painting with Chinese classical dance, injects fresh vitality into this important Chinese cultural relics in this new era.











Classical Dance "Flying-Bird Bun": Bringing vitality of Northern Dynasty murals to stage

During the Northern Dynasty period, vivid murals adorned the tombs, capturing the era's life and culture. Today, Huang Jiayuan, choreographer from the Beijing Dance Drama & Opera, brings this ancient art to life with her classical dance "Flying-Bird Bun". Inspired by the Northern Dynasty murals, particularly the hairstyle depicted in the Xu Xianxiu tomb, Huang transforms these historical images into a dynamic stage performance. Through extensive research and a deep understanding of the era, she conveys the inner pursuit of freedom and vitality of that time, infusing new life into these beautiful yet lesser-known historical treasures.











Classical Dance "Flying-Bird Bun": Dialogue with history through dance

During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Flying-Bird Bun was a symbol of elegance and individuality. Today, choreographer Huang Jiayuan from the Beijing Dance Drama & Opera reimagines this historical hairstyle in her classical dance "Flying-Bird Bun". Inspired by Northern Dynasty murals, this dance piece captures the serene beauty and introspection of the era's art. Huang's meticulous study of historical details and her innovative choreography create a profound dialogue between past and present. Through graceful movements and expressive body language, "Flying-Bird Bun" brings the ancient murals' beauty and emotions to the modern stage, inviting audiences to experience a timeless connection with history.











Reviving Tang tri-colored pottery figurines: Art of makeup and design in "Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace"

In 1959, a group of Tang tri-colored pottery figurines of female musicians were unearthed from a tomb in Anyang City of central China's Henan Province. These relics inspired the dance "Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace", created by the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theater. Through meticulous makeup, costumes, and choreography, the choreographers ensured that the modern-day dancers authentically mirrored their ancient counterparts. Adorned in adorable, chubby costumes, the dancers gracefully swayed their plump bodies to the rhythm of the music. By embodying playful, feisty, charming, and whimsically cute personas, the dance show adopts a humorous and delightful tone, bringing a sense of brightness to the modern imagination of these ancient figurines.











A new take on tradition: Reconstructing traditional Chinese culture in "Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace"

Through meticulous makeup and costume design, dancers from the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theater authentically revived the Tang tri-colored pottery figurines of female musicians. Beyond physical resemblance, the choreographers of "Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace" aimed to create an innovative dance spectacle filled with humor and joy. The dancers conveyed bubbly, funny, mischievous, and endearing personalities, seamlessly blending Tang Dynasty history with contemporary elements. Each dancer adopted a distinct personality, generating numerous playful and heartwarming scenes throughout the show. This innovative approach to reconstructing traditional Chinese culture aims to deepen the audiences' appreciation and understanding of it.











Dance Revival of Wang Ziwu Ding: Embracing Unity and Strength

Among the vast collection of Chinese Dings, Wang Ziwu Ding stands out as one of the most unique. Discovered in central China's Henan Province in 1978, the Ding belonged to a man named "Wang Ziwu". His father was once the King of a state called Chu in China. Created between 558 and 552 BCE, the Wang Ziwu Ding epitomizes the essence of Chu culture, characterized by vibrant artistic expression and imagination. In 2021, a group of Chinese Classical Dance artists from the Zhengzhou Opera and Dance Drama Theater decided to visualize the spirit and cultural significance of the Wang Ziwu Ding. Their choreography conveys the strength, artistic flair, and call for unity epitomized by the Wang Ziwu Ding.











Dance Revival of Wang Ziwu Ding: Tribute to peace, friendship worldwide

The choreographers of the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theater devoted to translating the distinctive characteristics of the Wang Ziwu Ding into dance movements, visualizing the values of strength, unity, power, and vitality in a manner that resonates with audiences. Throughout the creative process, they meticulously crafted movements that embody these values, weaving together a rich tapestry of expressive choreography. Upon completing this work, the choreographers hope that this dance show will reach both domestic and global audiences. They believe that the Wang Ziwu Ding represents not only the unity of the Chinese nation but also serves as a symbol of peace and unity for the entire world. Through this performance, they aim to send a call for friendship and peace worldwide.











Ancient brocade inspires modern dance drama: "Five Stars Rising from the East" bridges eras

In a remarkable fusion of ancient history and contemporary art, the dance drama "Five Stars Rising from the East" brings to life the story behind a two-thousand-year-old Han-dynasty brocade, weaving together past and present on stage. Xu Rui, playwright of the dance drama and President of Beijing Dance Academy, took inspiration from a significant archaeological find in 1995. The Sino-Japanese Academic Expedition to the Niya Ruins unearthed a piece of Han-dynasty brocade with seal-script Chinese characters reading "Five Stars Rising from the East Benefits China." This discovery, found in the deserts of Xinjiang, is an exceptional example of ancient Chinese weaving and holds great historical and cultural significance.











Diverse Ensemble: Reviving Liao Dynasty dance and music from millennia-old murals

Since the 1970s, numerous Liao-Dynasty tombs have been discovered in Hebei Province, China. The murals adorning these tombs, now over a millennium old, retain their vibrant colors and intricate details. Depicting everything from daily life and musical banquets to court musicians and noble families, these rich murals offer an encyclopedic glimpse into the social life of Liao Dynasty. Among these murals, the painting "Diverse Ensemble" is particularly remarkable for its exquisite depictions of human figures. It vividly portrays eight elegantly dressed musicians and dancers, bringing the main performance form of Liao-Dynasty music and dance – Diverse Ensemble back to life across the millennia. In 2021, the Dance Academy of Shenyang Conservatory of Music began to create a dance based on the mural "Diverse Ensemble". Prior to this, there had been few works dedicated to Liao-Dynasty dance and music. By delving into Liao-Dynasty musical culture and recreating the dance movements, the creative team has brought the "Diverse Ensemble" from the ancient murals onto a modern stage, allowing audiences to experience this vibrant art form once again.











"Green-glazed Pottery Male Figures": Revitalizing Canjun Opera pottery figurines through dance

The "green-glazed pottery male figures" were unearthed in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, from the tomb of General Xianyu Tinghui, commander of the Right Flank Army during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty. These figurines, celebrated as masterpieces of the High Tang period, are vividly expressive and adorned with green glaze. They are widely regarded as iconic representations of Canjun Opera performers, an art form popular in the Tang Dynasty known for its witty dialogues. In 2022, a choreographer from the China Coal Mine Art Troupe encountered these figurines at the National Museum of China, sparking the idea of "reviving" them on stage through a dance drama. The team carefully refined the choreography to authentically recreate Canjun Opera and breathe new life into this ancient theatrical tradition.











Modern echo of Canjun Opera: "Comedic" dance revives life of ancient performers

During the Tang Dynasty, Canjun Opera was typically performed by two actors: one portraying the witty and humorous "Canjun" and the other the endearingly clumsy "Canghu." However, the lives of these performers were far from glamorous. Many entered the profession out of necessity, entertaining nobles and officials to earn a living. In reviving the green-glazed male pottery figures from the Tang Dynasty, the choreographer from the China Coal Mine Art Troupe sought not only to recreate the physical language of Canjun Opera, but also aimed to unveil the tragic essence hidden beneath its comedic surface, shedding light on the hardships endured by ancient performers. Through this artistic expression, the director and performers aspired to deepen audiences' understanding of Canjun Opera—not only as a theatrical form but also as a reflection of the historical and cultural context embodied by these pottery figures.











"Tricolors Alongside the Yellow River": Tang figurines and Yellow River culture reimagined on stage

Tang tri-colored pottery originated in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province. These pottery figures were meticulously crafted by artisans along the Yellow River, showcasing their ingenuity and creativity while holding immense artistic value. In 2019, the directors of "Xianwuren Studio", driven by a deep respect for traditional Chinese culture, brought the art of Tang pottery-making to the stage. Through anthropomorphic expressions, the dancers breathed life into Tang pottery, paying tribute to the Yellow River culture behind it. Using Chinese classical dance, the production revives Tang pottery on stage, highlighting the unwavering efforts and significant contributions of working people in preserving Chinese culture.











"Tricolors Alongside the Yellow River": Dance interpretation of Tang Dynasty black-glazed horse figurine

The black-glazed horse figurine is a treasured artifact of the Luoyang Museum in central China's Henan Province. Excavated from the tomb of An Pu and his wife at Longmen in Luoyang, this sculpture features a distinctive black glaze achieved through a unique firing technique. During the Tang Dynasty, black glaze was not produced through direct firing. Instead, artisans applied multiple layers of glaze, gradually deepening the color until an accidental depth of black was achieved. This meticulous process made black-glazed pieces extremely rare. In 2019, the directors of "Xianwuren Studio" brought the black-glazed horse to life on stage in their dance production "Tricolors Alongside the Yellow River", infusing this ancient relic with new vitality and artistic expression through dance.











































From "external rules" to "inner discipline": Building the aesthetic system of Chinese classical dance

As a major branch of Chinese dance, Chinese classical dance, since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, has gone through more than seventy years of exploration and growth. The shaping of its distinctive aesthetic approach and academic system vividly embodies the creative idea of turning external rules into inner discipline.











When past meets present: How Chinese classical dance brings cultural relics to life

Chinese classical dance is not a simple reenactment of ancient dance, but a creative practice rooted in tradition and oriented toward the present. For choreographers and creators, tangible cultural relics offer a starting point for inspiration, yet creation itself follows no fixed rules.











The artistic beauty of Dunhuang Dance: "Three curves" and the S-shaped rhythm

Dunhuang dance, inspired by the murals of the Mogao Caves, embodies the artistic legacy of Chinese civilization across centuries. Its distinctive aesthetic is shaped by a dialogue between stillness and motion: the "three curves," which define the body's sculptural posture, and the flowing S-shaped rhythm that animates the form in movement.











The origin and development of Dunhuang Dance: From Mei Lanfang to Flower Rains Along the Silk Road

Shi Min, Professor at the Chinese Classical Dance Department and Director of the Dunhuang Dance Culture Research Center at the Beijing Dance Academy, traces the historical roots of Dunhuang dance — from its early stage inspirations to the landmark 1979 production Flower Rains Along the Silk Road, a work that reshaped the trajectory of the genre.











The cultural value and innovation of Dunhuang Dance: From the "Thirty-Six Poses" to creative practice


Shi Min, Professor at the Chinese Classical Dance Department and Director of the Dunhuang Dance Culture Research Center at the Beijing Dance Academy, said the cultural value of Dunhuang dance lies in its ability to balance faithful inheritance with creative renewal. Professor Shi noted that the teaching of Dunhuang dance aims to guide students toward traditional culture and a deeper understanding of the enduring civilization preserved in Dunhuang murals. Central to this approach is the "Thirty-Six Poses," a training system she developed that has become a required foundation for students and dance enthusiasts studying Dunhuang dance.












Costumes, postures and movement language: The national spirit in Han–Tang Dance

Rather than reviving or reconstructing the past, Han-Tang Dance draws inspiration from traditional attire, ritual, and movement to uncover a shared cultural temperament and spiritual character of the Chinese nation. Through refined body language, especially the expressive use of the waist and flowing costumes, the dance conveys vitality, moral integrity, and cultural confidence.











Han–Tang Dance: Ancient imagery and Tang aesthetics

Han–Tang Dance is a classical Chinese art form that draws inspiration from the aesthetics of the Han and Tang dynasties, blending ancient imagery with contemporary expression. Rooted in historical relics, poetry, and traditional philosophy, it emphasizes "dynamic weightlessness" and flowing movement to convey vitality and cultural confidence.
































Power of dance: Awakening consciousness of lost relics













Reawakening history and spirit of Wang Ziwu Ding through dance



















Breathing life into artifacts: Dance of Wang Ziwu Ding













"Green-glazed Pottery Male Figures": Story of Canjun Opera told through contemporary dance



















A profound dialogue with history through “Green-glazed Male Pottery Figures”













Rebirth of Canghu on stage: A modern interpretation of Canjun Opera



















Wang Ximeng in “Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting”: Dance interpretation of creation process behind “A Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers”













Tang figurines on stage: Representing spirit of Chinese culture through dance



















A modern interpretation of Tang pottery: Black-glazed horse awakened on stage













Exploring Eastern classical aesthetics for innovation in dance drama



















Fusion of past and present: The creative journey behind "Five Stars Rising from the East"






The inspiration came from a brocade armband inscribed with the phrase "Five Stars Rising from the East Benefits China." This artifact originated in Shu (modern Sichuan) but was unearthed in the Western Regions – a vivid reflection of the cultural interplay between the Central Plains and the Western frontier.

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