In 2019, Shanghai Ballet brings a brand new version of ballet The Lady of the Camellias. The production is based on the world-known classic novel La Dame Aux Camelias by Alexandre Dumas, and is choreographed by Derek Deane Artistic Director of Shanghai Ballet. The story in this production is told in “flashback” and starts when Marguerite is nearly at the end of her life and then goes back in time to tell the poignant and fervent love between her and Armand. The production is firmly based on the character of Margarite whose character allows many changes of atmosphere and dramatic moments throughout the storytelling and how her lifestyle and her illnesses bring this tragedy to its close. The music score is written by Carl Davis, the Composer of BBC drama Pride and Prejudice. His music will enhance the climatic prominence of the story, taking the audience on an exhilarating ride.

 

Choreographer/ Derek Deane

Composer/ Carl Davis

Set & Costume Designer/ Adam Nee

Lighting Designer/ Fridthjofur Thorsteinsson

Assistant to Choreographer/ Ivan Gil Ortega

 

Performed by Shanghai Ballet

 

The La Traviata by Alexandre Dumas Jr., a French writer, can be regarded as an immortal treasure of world literature. About two centuries ago, after writing this famous book, which was highly sought after by thousands of people, Alexandre Dumas personally wrote a stage script for it. After watching the stage play, Italian composer Verdi was also deeply shocked and wrote an opera of the same name without stopping. Until the late 20th century, the camellia girl was put on the ballet stage. So far, there have been many versions, which have been favored by major ballet companies all over the world. The ballet La Traviata, based on the original literature, tells a tragic story that took place in the context of the French July Dynasty: Marguerite, who became a high-class socialite for a living, fell in love with Armand, the hero, but was separated due to class identity differences. The imprisonment of noble moral concepts, many misunderstandings and puzzles became the fetters of their love. Marguerite finally fell ill and left. How to tell this dramatic and daily love story in ballet vocabulary is a great challenge for every choreographer at all times and in all countries. Of course, for the major ballet companies in the world, having their own version of the camellia woman can also be called a "dream come true" moment. In 2019, Shanghai Ballet launched a new version of the ballet "the camellia girl", which was edited and directed by Derek Dean, art director of Shanghai Ballet and British ballet master. He faithfully restored the depth and breadth of the original work with his awe for the original work and his fascination with "the camellia girl" Margaret. Derek uses flashback to highlight the tragic color and fierce dramatic conflict of the story - Taking the dying of the heroine Margaret as the beginning of the story, which leads to her sincere, warm but frustrating love with Armand, and tells her life full of tragedy. In his opinion, the heroine Margaret's character is complex and contradictory, which is worth exploring. "She is very young. On the one hand, she enjoys a luxurious life. On the other hand, she is eager to follow her heart and pursue true love."