Shanghai Ballet will stage the "Magic of Dance - Balanchine and Beyond" with two Balanchine shows next Thursday and Friday, the China premiere of "La Valse" and "Serenade."

"We are dancing on the edge of a volcano," Maurice Ravel, the composer of "La Valse," wrote in his notes to "La Valse," quoting Comte de Salvandy.

His words vividly describe both his music and Balanchine's neo-romantic choreography: couples waltzing in a cavernous ballroom where a woman in white is at once horrified and fascinated by the uninvited figure of death who ultimately claims her life.

This is the third time "Serenade" has visited Shanghai since 2005.

As a milestone in the history of dance, "Serenade" is the first original ballet Balanchine created in the United States, a quick choreography performed by 28 dancers in blue costumes against a blue background with the glorious music by Tchaikovsky. The dance features four movements, the last two movements reverse the order of Tchaikovsky's score, ending the ballet on a note of sadness.

American dancer Ben Huys, who used to dance with the New York City Ballet, came to teach Shanghai dancers how to perform in the original Balanchine style.

Apart from the quick Balanchine style, another sexy ballet, "Carmen," will also arrive in Shanghai soon, performed by Alberta Ballet, Canada's third-largest ballet company.

With flamenco elements, red skirts, seductive eye makeup and charming choreography, "Carmen" is staged in a modern ballet style that combines classic ballet, modern ballet and Spanish dance.

The show will meet Shanghai audience at Pudong's Shanghai Oriental Art Center on September 8 and 9 before visiting neighboring cities of Nantong, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Zhoushan.

"Magic of Dance-Balanchine & Beyond"
Date: August 30-31, 7:15pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 People's Ave
Tel: 021-6372-8701/6372-8702
Tickets: 100-500 yuan

"Carmen"
Date: September 8-9, 7:30pm