One of the POB's gala showpieces, Blake Works I. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"The two gala shows are selling very well, too," she said before the shows.

"Shanghai audiences not only enjoy classical ballets such as Swan Lake but have also shown a great deal of interest in contemporary dance. That's why we made the request for the POB to present the gala show featuring contemporary dance in Shanghai when we first discussed its tour plans."

The gala show consists of three choreographers' works. Blake Works I marks the first collaboration between choreographer William Forsythe and English musician James Blake. In the Night by Jerome Robbins is a romantic dance, consisting of three elegant duets to Chopin's nocturne pieces. And The Seasons' Canon features group dancing by Crystal Pite to music from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, rearranged by Max Richter.