Moiseyev dance troupe returns to Beijing

Suite of Moldavian dances Zhok2 [Photo/E. Masalkov]

Russia's Igor Moiseyev State Academic Ensemble of Popular Dance is back in Beijing for two shows on Dec 13 and 14, the last stop of its latest China tour, titled Dances of the World Nations. This is the troupe's fourth visit to China since its celebrated founder Moiseyev (1906-2007) first brought his dancers to the country in 1954.

That year, marking the fifth anniversary of the founding of New China, the celebrated Russian choreographer led around 150 professional artists, including dancers and orchestra members, to the capital and performed with nonprofessional Chinese dancers at Tian’anmen Square.

To train the Chinese amateur dancers, Moiseyev spent two weeks in China before the performance.

During his stay, Moiseyev also watched some Chinese folk dances, which inspired him to create dance pieces, including one work based on the Chinese red ribbon dance and another inspired by a popular Chinese Peking Opera work, The Crossroads (Sanchakou).

The classic piece of red ribbon dance is on this week's program list, which also includes the traditional Russian dance Summer, Kalmuk, a work that was inspired by nomadic tribesmen living on Central Asian steppes, and Day On Board A Ship, which was inspired by the sailors of World War II.