The famous Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion, written by the great playwright Tang Xianzu in the Ming Dynasty, describes a wonderful love story. On the stage of traditional opera, Peony Pavilion has been performed in diversified styles, such as Kunqu opera, and welcomed by the audience numerous times. This time, the National Ballet of China creates a ballet drama of Peony Pavilion, based on respecting and inheriting the tradition, to present the excellent Chinese national culture and lead Chinese ballet drama to the world stage by western classical ballet, a unique and glamour artistic form. The Peony Pavilion is a classic work combined Chinese and western cultures based on the constant development of the National Ballet of China.

Peony Pavilion is the first dance drama directed by Li Liuyi, a famous director of Beijing People's Art Theatre. His profound Chinese opera knowledge and distinctive artistic view lay a solid foundation for the ballet version of Peony Pavilion, the masterpiece of Tang Xianzu. In presenting the figures, the drama tries to explore the inner world of Du Liniang, the heroine, and build a complete new image. It is a huge challenge for both the creation and the performing group. 
 
Synopsis
Du Liniang（a girl from a rich family）is in a deep sleep. Her body gently quavers like talking in a dream and or subconsciousness; she arises with a little drowsiness, a bit of excitement and some awareness of life itself.

Soon after, two other egos of Liniangs in her consciousness slowly ascend.

Kunqu Liniang (the Image of Kunqu Opera Player) slips in. And Huasheng Liniang (the Image of the Goddess of Flowers) has flaming charms, who guides
Liniang to enjoy the 'truth' in her body and the restless 'desire'.

Fragments of the dream are crashing and flushing, while Liniang experiences a boundless love.

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.

NBC 50th Anniversary Series
Ballet "Onegin" on August 19 – 22, 2009  19:30
Ballet "Swan Lake" on December 04 - 05, 2009  19:30
Ballet "Sylvia" on December 01 - 02, 2009  19:30