The three-act ballet Sylvia is one of French composer Léo Delibes' great contributions to the world, which made its debut in Paris in 1876, first choreographed by Louis Mérante. Delibes' pioneering symphonic work for the ballet opened up a field for serious composers, and his influence can be traced in the work of Tchaikovsky and others who wrote for the dance. The ballet's origins are in Tasso's 1573 poem "Aminta," which describes the basic plot of Delibes' work. Jules Barbier and Baron de Reinach adapted this for the Paris Opera.
 
Synopsis
Act I: A Sacred Wood
The ballet begins with a scene of worship as creatures of the forest dance before Eros. Aminta, a lowly shepherd, stumbles in on them, disrupting their ritual. Now Sylvia, the object of Aminta's desire, arrives on the scene with her posse of hunters to mock the god of love. Aminta attempts to conceal himself, but Sylvia eventually discovers her stalker and, inflamed, turns her bow towards Eros. Aminta protects the deity and is himself wounded. Eros in turn shoots Sylvia. She is hit, and though not badly wounded, the injury is enough to drive her offstage.

A hunter, Orion, is revealed to also have been watching Sylvia, when he is seen celebrating the unconscious Aminta. Orion conceals himself again as Sylvia returns; this time she is sympathetic towards Aminta. As the huntress laments over her victim, she is kidnapped by Orion and carried off. Peasants grieve over Aminta's figure until a cloaked Eros revives the shepherd. Eros reveals his true identity and informs Aminta of Orion's actions.

Act II: Orion's Island Cave
Captive in Orion's island hideout, Sylvia is tempted by him with jewels and wine to no avail. Sylvia now grieves over Aminta, cherishing the arrow pulled from her breast nostalgically. When Orion steals it from her, Sylvia gets her captor drunk until he is unconscious, whereby she retrieves her arrow and appeals to Eros for help. Sylvia's invocations are not in vain, for Eros quickly arrives and shows his summoner a vision of Aminta waiting for her. The duo depart for the temple of Diana, where Sylvia's love awaits.

Act III: The Sea Coast Near the Temple of Diana
Aminta arrives at the temple of Diana to find a bacchanal but no Sylvia, who will soon arrive with Eros. After a few moments of mirth at the reunion, Orion shows up, seeking Sylvia. He and Aminta fight; Sylvia barricades herself in Diana's shrine and Orion attempts to follow. The goddess of the hunt, outraged at this act, smites Orion and denies Aminta and Sylvia congress. Compassionate Eros gives Diana a vision. The goddess reminisces over her own young love of Endymion, also a shepherd. Diana has a change of heart and repeals her decree. Aminta and Sylvia come together under the deities' good will.

National Ballet of China
National Ballet of China (NBC), the only Chinese national ballet company was founded in 1959. Pyotr Gusev, the celebrated Russian ballet master laid a solid foundation of classical ballet for the company. Today, in its repertoires, there are dozens of full length ballets, including Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide, Sylvia and others classical ballets. In the past 20 years, especially since the 1990s, the company has staged many contemporary works of ballet such as Serenade, Etude, Four Last Songs, Rite of Spring and also modern dances.

National Ballet of China has successfully utilized ballet- an art form from the west- to depict the lives of the Chinese people. The Red Detachment of Women has become a classic is known around the world; Yellow River, Butterfly Lovers and Raise the Red Lantern are appreciated repertories as well. There outstanding ballets established a foundation for creating a ballet style uniquely Chinese.