In brief
On Sunday night, Shanghai Ballet brought the classical ballet Giselle to Long Island’s Tilles Center, earning standing ovations for its dancers’ skill. The performance was part of the company’s 2026 U.S. tour, which spans 13 cities across eight states, including other shows such as the original ballet The Butterfly Lovers. Critics and audiences alike highlighted the Shanghai‑style technique that fuses Chinese rigor with Western classical language.
On Sunday night, the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Long Island hosted the Shanghai Ballet as it performed the classical ballet Giselle, drawing a crowd that praised the dancers’ technique.
The two‑hour show, a timeless romantic ballet that follows the tragic love story of a young peasant girl named Giselle, explored themes of love, betrayal and forgiveness in its two acts. Dancers interpreted the narrative with precise choreography, their lines clean and poignant, and the music swelled to a dramatic crescendo. The performance closed with a prolonged applause and cheers that filled the auditorium. Reviewers noted that the company’s Chinese dancers displayed exquisite technique and a distinctive flair that added depth to the familiar story.
Miya Dunham, a New Yorker, expressed her admiration for the performance.
“I was impressed by the poetic atmosphere and magnificent performances of the Chinese dancers.”
“It was such a beautiful experience.”
College student and ballet enthusiast Natasha, who did not reveal her surname, said that watching a Chinese ballet company for the first time exceeded her expectations.
“It truly exceeded my expectations,” she said. “Chinese dancers demonstrated extraordinary techniques and remarkable skills.”
Director Ji Pingping, director of Shanghai Ballet, said that since its first U.S. tour in 2002, the company has brought a distinctive “Shanghai‑style” ballet to American audiences, performing nearly a hundred shows and creating cherished and heartwarming memories.
“Since our first U.S. tour in 2002, Shanghai Ballet artists have brought our distinctive ‘Shanghai‑style’ ballet to audiences across the United States, performing nearly 100 shows and creating cherished and heartwarming memories.”
The 2026 U.S. tour, running from October 13 to November 12, includes the two productions Giselle and the original ballet The Butterfly Lovers. It spans thirteen cities across eight states—California, Arizona, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, among others—highlighting the company’s intention to reach diverse audiences across the country.
Founded in 1979, Shanghai Ballet blends Chinese and Western dance traditions into an artistic style that has become its hallmark. Its repertoire features classics such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet, along with original works like The White‑Haired Girl and The Butterfly Lovers. The company’s long‑standing emphasis on precise technique and lyrical expression has earned it both national and international acclaim.
The long‑term presence of Shanghai Ballet in the United States demonstrates a growing cultural exchange between China and the U.S. audiences in New York and across other cities were given a chance to experience a fresh interpretation of a beloved Western ballet through the lens of Chinese artistry. The enthusiastic reception at the Tilles Center suggests that such performances resonate well with diverse audiences, reinforcing the importance of international artistic collaboration.
