I watched Swan Lake tonight – the famous Tchaikovsky ballet, performed by the National Ballet of China. The performance lasted two and a half hours, a bit lengthy, especially with there are kids sitting nearby: left side of me, right side of me, behind me…
Regarding my personal preference, I favor the Black Swan significantly more than the White Swan. The Black Swan embodies life and vitality, with her charming smile lighting up the stage, captivating the audience (including the prince), and infusing the performance with energy. In contrast, the White Swan only appears under cold-spectrum light, perpetually wearing a frown (yes, her expressions), and carrying a heavy sense of melancholic sorrow. In my view, these two swans symbolize life and death rather than the conventional notions of pure evil and kindness. They represent different facets of beauty: one epitomizes the enjoyment and ecstasy of life’s celebrations, while the other embodies spirituality and ascension, ultimately leading to the inevitable.
ending scene
Enough for serious art. The performance featured the famous dance during the second intermission, where the Black Swan spun more than 17 rounds continuously. And of course, the iconic performance of the Danse des petits cygnes was a highlight. Sitting in the very front row added an extra layer of fun. I impulsively bought the ticket during a midnight shopping frenzy. It turned out to be a worthwhile purchase.
However, the music left much to be desired. It was played through some so-so stereo system, resulting in dreadful sound quality. The balance was a complete mess, with solo strings and winds overpowering the rest. The flute even went flat on occasion. Admittedly, my ears are picky, and my benchmark is the Berlin Philharmonic version on Apple Music, so perhaps I’m being overly critical.
Next week, there’s another concert of Chopin and Rachmaninoff. Can’t wait.