Suzhou Ballet of China
Suzhou Ballet Theatre was established and founded by Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre in June 2007. It is one of the sixth professional ballet companies in China and the only one in Jiangsu Province. Led by artistic directors Ying Li and Jiabin Pan, the Theatre incorporates original works and aspires to produce new pieces while developing dancers to reach their fullest potential. The company members come from major ballet companies in China, including the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy. This group is the youngest, most energetic and vibrant ballet company in modern China.
The company has performed many classical Pas de Deux, such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia. Artistic directors have created many new works for the company: Double Happiness, Chopin's Poem, Dancing on Rock, and Su SHOW to promote the culture of Suzhou.
In 2010, the Company choreographed a Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet, which sets itself apart from other classical versions in the world. In 2011, the Company chose
Coppelia as its annual production, which displays the creative and innovative characteristics of the Company.
In 2012, the Company created Legend of Beauty, which portrays a legacy intertwined with affection and hatred, romance and conflicts based on Chinese culture during the historical background of Wu-Yue hegemony. A very special mice version of The Nutcracker was created and performed in 2013. In 2014, the Company choreographed a new version of Carmen to give the Ballet a modern interpretation while maintaining the dynamic, exciting plot of original. Carmen was invited to perporm at the XXII international Opera Festival in Nova Opera in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 2015.
The Company has The Company has received a respected national and international reputation. In March and June 2012, the Company successfully performed its Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet at National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing and Shanghai Grand Theatre, two of the highest-status palaces for performing arts in China. In November 2013, the Company’s Romeo and Juliet was invited to perform at the 1st China International Ballet Festival. In 2014, the Company’s Legend of Beauty becomes the funded recipient of China National Endowment for the Arts.
Under the leadership and guidance of its artistic directors – Ying Li and Jiabin Pan, Suzhou Ballet Theatre quickly develops into one of the most renowned ballet company in China. Their originality and creative works have been widely recognized and acknowledged, as one Chinese dance critic stated, “Suzhou Ballet Theatre will become a significant driving force for ballet’s growth and development in China.”
Suzhou Ballet in Middle East & Europe
As one of Hermark's most important partners in China for years, the Suzhou Ballet Company has been promoted globally to introduce China's most experimental ballet stories. The cultural exchange program between 2 Hermark's delegated companies, Suzhou Ballet and Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, was supported by both countries' governments. From 2016 to 2018, Suzhou Ballet finished her middle east tours with a huge success. The orchestra and the ballet company collaborated together both in Suzhou and Doha, not only with sold-out performances Nutcracker and Cinderella but also giving workshops and educational projects to each city. The collaboration has been triggered an influence between the two countries' communication and broader exchanges at the government level.
2016 Middle East Tour
Suzhou Ballet + Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra
Nov. 11 Nutcracker, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC)
Nov. 12 Nutcracker, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC)
Nov. 13 Nutcracker, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC)
Nov. 15 Nutcracker, The National Theatre of Bahrain, Bahrain
2017 European Tour
Nov 03, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Theatre Andre Malraux, Paris (FR)
Nov 04, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Theatre Andre Malraux, Paris (FR)
Nov 07, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Wilmink Theater, Enschede (NL)
Nov 10, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Graf Zeppelin Haus, Friedrichshafen (DE)
Nov 14, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Orpheus Theatre, Apeldoorn (NL)
Nov 16, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Chasse Theatre, Breda (NL)
Nov 19, 2017 Romeo & Juliet RAI Theatre, Amsterdam (NL)
Nov 22, 2017 Romeo & Juliet World Forum Theatre, Den Haag (NL)
Nov 26, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Ethias Theatre, Hasselt (BE)
Nov 28, 2017 Romeo & Juliet Capitole, Gent (BE)
2018 Qatar & Suzhou
Nov. 29 Cinderella, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC)
Nov. 30 Cinderella, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC)
Nov. 31 Cinderella, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC)
Dec. 22 Nutcracker, Suzhou Culture & Arts Center, Suzhou
Dec. 23 Nutcracker, Suzhou Culture & Arts Center, Suzhou
