A step in the right direction

"Bai Yuting is tragic. Her love for the Peking Opera star is out of control and sad. I am keen on combining Peking Opera with ballet. Bai Yuting is the right role to exist in these two art forms," says Li, who graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy in 1999 and has performed leading roles in the National Ballet of China's productions, such as Swan Lake and Raise the Red Lantern.

To prepare for his work, Li visited Guo earlier this year. Guo, in his 80s, started to learn Peking Opera along with martial arts at the age of 5. He recalls watching Peking Opera pieces and skipping school to watch shows. Performing and watching Peking Opera has been a major part of Guo's life.

"He taught me how to enjoy Peking Opera and within a short period of time, I watched lots of Peking Opera shows," says Li.

Li learned ballet from the age of 11 and he was totally new to Peking Opera, a 200-year-old art form that combines singing, dancing, acrobatics and martial arts.

"I only knew Peking Opera by looking at the costumes, makeup and stage sets. I didn't understand the lyrics since they are mostly performed in ancient Chinese language. Thanks to Guo, I started to appreciate its peerless beauty," says Li.

He also mentions that he once put on Peking Opera costumes when he performed in the ballet production of Raise the Red Lantern, directed by Zhang Yimou. Before putting on headwear, Li recalls that he had to tie a ribbon on his head very tightly to ensure its stability.

"It was very painful, which reminded of the ballet dancers performing on their pointe shoes. They look beautiful but also bear lots of pain," says Li. "Both of the art forms pursue extreme beauty, which requires years of practice."