Ballet honors crane guardian's swansong

A scene from The Crane Calling. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Choreographers Zhang Zhenxin and Ma Cong infused the production with delicate imagery, carefully shaping movements to echo the cranes' elegance and their distinctively Eastern spirit. The stage picture --- cranes stepping and soaring in unison -- highlighted both precision and poetic beauty. The collaboration of young performers of the ballet troupe with the senior dancers, who had performed in earlier productions, lent the revival a sense of continuity and renewal.

The music for the ballet piece was composed by the young musician Shen Yiwen, who also took on the role of conductor for this 10th-anniversary performance. The symphony orchestra of the ballet troupe performed the music live, creating a romantic and beautiful atmosphere.