Song of Life & La Sylphide ACT II

 Song of Life

Production by National Ballet of China

Producer: Feng Ying

Originality and Structure by Ying E Din

Choreographers: Ying E Ding, Yang Minjian

Music: Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.6

Stage Designer: Sam Leung

Stage Producer: Gong Xun

Lighting Designer: Liu Zhao

Costume Designer: He Xiaoxin

Costume Producer: Yue Songshan

Make-up and Style Designer: Xu Bin

NBC Premiere: March 4th,2017, Tianqiao Theater, Beijing

Special Thanks to Mr. Ying E Ding

Main Actors in Song of Life

Pas de Deux: Liu Qi, Yan Hualong

(Dancers are subject to change)

La Sylphide ACT II 

Production by National Ballet of China

Producer: Feng Ying

Composer: Herman Severin Løvenskiold

Choreographer: August Bournonville

New Staging: Eva Kloborg and Frank Andersen

Stage Designer: Mikael Melbye 

Lighting Designer: Jørn Melin

World Premiere: Royal Danish Ballet, Copenhagen, November 28^th, 1836

NBC Premiere: Beijing Exhibition Hall Theater, September 21^st 1999

Cast of La Sylphide ACT II

The Sylphde: Zhang Yan

James: Sun Ruichen

 (Dancers are subject to change)

Synopsis of La Sylphide ACT II

The forest at night. A dense fog permits only a glimpse of the foremost trees and cliffs. 

Madge is meeting with other witches. They dance about the fire in a circle, but Madge calls them to work. They now work their spell on a rose-colored drapery, whilst dancing. The spell is complete. They drink a farewell, and the flock of witches disappears into the cave.

Dawn gives way to sunrise, and the landscape presents a charming blend of woods and mountains. The Sylphide leads James from a mountain path. This is her domain. Here she will live for the one she loves. James is enraptured with delight and admiration. The Sylphide seems to fathom his every desire and refreshes him with fruits and spring water. James forgets everything for the one he loves. He follows the Sylphide in her easy flight, and their dancing blends together in harmony. This is their happiest moments.

The Sylphide is constantly trying to impress him and at a signal all her sisters come into view through the bushes. Their dancing and delightful groupings arouse James's enthusiasm. He is more than ever taken with the Sylphide, but she eludes his embrace and leaves. Anxious and grief-stricken, James cannot remain alone but rushes after the enchanting creature.

Gurn and his friends come into view on the hill along with Effy and Anna. They seek and question one another about the runaway, but until now their search has been fruitless. They spread out, and Gurn discovers a hat. It belongs to James. He is about to call the others, but at that moment Madge appears, seizes the hat, and flings it away. Gurn is frightened by the witch's sudden appearance, but she calms him and orders him to be silent and clever. Madge now tells Effy, that her prophecy will be fulfilled; for Gurn, that fine, goodhearted young fellow, is destines by fate to be Effy's husband. Effy, although deeply distressed, is nevertheless moved by the slighted Gurn's affection and allows him to escort her home. Madge remains alone.

James returns without having overtaken the Sylphide. His heart is a prey to regret and despair. He sees Madge and readily tells her everything and sees the rose-colored drapery, that hangs from her waist. “Please give me that, so I can give it to the Sylphide.” “I cannot give to thee and you cannot buy it: “Give it me! In return I will bestow upon you all that I possess.” Kneeling James begs her to forgive him for his hardness and to give him life through the possession of the Sylphide. Madge suffers herself to be moved and meaningfully hands him the rose-colored scarf. “Believe in its power and you shall succeed! Entwine her with this gauze. Then her wings will drop and she is yours forever.” Beside himself with joy and gratitude, James kisses the scarf and gives Madge thousand expressions of thanks.

He sees the Sylphide and waves the scarf; She sees it and pleads for the pretty scarf, which he purposely refuses her. She begs him for it promises never more to flee from him. Greedily, she reaches for the scarf, but at the same instant he twists it about her so tightly that she cannot move her arms. The Sylphide is captured and James presses her to him in excitement but she pushes him away from her. Her wings are now falling off. James is first now realizing what he has done. The Sylphide puts her hand to her heart as if she felt mortally wounded. "Take your wedding ring. Make haste, return it. You can still marry her whom you loved before me. Farewell! I die with hope of your future happiness.” The Sylphide's strength is decreasing little by little. The sylphs, her sisters, surround her, and in their arms she breathes forth her spirit. The Sylphs veil the beloved body and carry it away through the air.

At this moment the Madge enters to rejoice at James's despair and counters his reproaches with the icy laughter of revenge. She points to the background, where Gurn is leading Effy to the altar. Overcome with grief, the unfortunate James casts yet another look at his airy mistress and falls to the ground in a swoon.