Paris Opera Ballet concludes performances in Shanghai

The Paris Opera Ballet concluded its gala performances at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center on Feb 24.

At the press conference on Feb 22, dancers of the company met the local media and learned classical Chinese dance moves. They also tried the folk dragon dance in celebration of the Chinese Lantern Festival, which is on Feb 24 this year.

Jeremy-Loup Quer, a principal dancer of the company, enjoyed doing the dragon dance practice and said that he used to see this in the Chinese town back home in Paris and always wanted to try it himself, "Now it feels like my childhood dream has come true."

Mathieu Ganio, a star dancer for the company, said he was greatly impressed with the lantern show at the Yuyuan Garden, and Dorothee Gilbert, also a star dancer, praised the professional support of the SHOAC and shared her enjoyment of the local food.

Paris Opera Ballet, established in 1661 by Louis XIV as the Royal Academy of Dance, is known internationally for its distinctive style, which highlights fluidity, elegance and clean lines, technical precision and fast footwork, said Liu Aihua, deputy general manager of SHOAC.

The year 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between China and France. The Paris Opera Ballet, with only two performances at SHOAC in China for this tour, is the first French company to visit the theater, followed by the China debut of the Royal Opera Orchestra of the Palace of Versailles in April and the Ballet de l'Opera de Bordeaux in May.