Triple Tchaikovsky treat for ballet fans

The Russian National Ballet Theatre (RNBT) will pirouette into Beijing for the 12th time in as many years later this month, keeping to a long-held Spring Festival tradition. The troupe presents "Spring of Ballet" by performing three of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's classic ballets, namely Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty.

For the first time in three years, the RNBT's Spring Festival performances will be accompanied by the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.

The RNBT has performed during China's biggest national holiday at the "Spring of Ballet" since it was launched by the Beijing Xian Dai Ren Culture and Communication Company in 2000. The shows staged over seven consecutive days attracted a bigger-than-expected audience at its debut, prompting organizers to add another four shows to meet demand.

The RBNT was founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s, when many great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union's ballet institutions were exercising their new-found creative freedom by starting new, vibrant companies. They dedicated themselves not only to the timeless tradition of classical Russian ballet, but also to embracing new developments from around the world.

When:

Swan Lake: Jan. 24, 25

The Nutcracker: Jan. 26, 27

The Sleeping Beauty: Jan. 28

Where: Poly Theatre, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng district

Tickets: 180-980 yuan

Contact: 6504-6966/6962