Two ballet "classics of classics" will be performed late this month by the Kremlin Palace Ballet Theater - Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Swan Lake".

Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame" will be performed as the ballet "Notre-Dame de Paris" by the Kremlin Palace Ballet Theater on January 28 at the Oriental Art Center. "Swan Lake" will be performed from January 25 to 27.

Hugo's tale of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda and the hunchback Quasimodo in 15th-century Paris is a new ballet by the Kremlin Ballet Theater. The story unfolding in Notre Dame cathedral was first performed as the ballet "La Esmeralda" in 1844.

The "Hunchback" has been adapted to opera, the musical stage, screen - there's also a Disney animation - as well as ballet. The Russian ballet was created by artistic director Andrei Petrov and took five years to choreograph. It is so far the only ballet adapting the complete work of Hugo and the only copyright owner of the ballet version, "Notre-Dame de Paris."

Fantastic, dramatic scenery and powerful dancing emphasize the conflict between good - the hunchback bell-ringer Quasimodo and Esmeralda - and evil - the demented archdeacon who lusts for Esmeralda and accuses her of witchcraft.

The pas de deux not only inherits the sense of harmony of traditional ballet, but also applies new dance language and movement to show the inner conflict of the characters.

"Swan Lake" has many incarnations, this one created by Petrov, who has been honored as "People's Artist of Russia."

Petrov adds folk dance elements, including Spanish dance, Napolitan dance, and Polish mazurka. The classics of the original, the pas de deux by the prince and the black swan, the solo by the swan princess and the dance of the four little swans are all preserved.

Svetlana Romanova, the principal dancer, will perform the white swan Odette and the wicked and wily black swan Odile. Her execution of the technically demanding 32 fouettes by the black swan has been highly praised.

The Kremlin Palace Ballet Theater, founded by Petrov in 1990, is famous for its innovative interpretation of classical music that yet retains the music's traditional elements.

"Swan Lake"

Date: January 25-27, 7:15pm

Tickets: 200-1,080 yuan

"Hunchback of Notre Dame"

Date: January 28, 7:15pm

Tickets: 200-1,080 yuan

Tel: 6854-1234

(Shanghai Daily January 4, 2008)