A dance troupe and symphony orchestra from the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre performed the ballet Le Corsaire at the Harbin Grand Theatre on Aug 9.

Based on the poem The Corsair by Byron and adapted by the world-class composer Adolphe Adam, the ballet tells a romantic story between the corsair Conrad and the fishergirl Medora.

Since its debut in 1856, Le Corsaire continues to shine on stage with its grand spectacles and intriguing storyline. It is welcomed by theaters in the United States and Europe. The Russian Ballet, one of the most prestigious European ballet companies, even includes it in the theater's repertoire.

"I'm truly honored to perform Le Corsaire in China," said Irina Sapozhnikova, the principal dancer. "Russia and China have an enduring friendship. We want to show Chinese audiences the best of Russian arts."

"The show was a feast to my eyes," Chen Fusheng, a tourist who traveled from Taiwan to see the ballet, said. "Those magnificent scenes really created a dream world for the audience."

For more than two centuries, the Mariinsky Theatre has been presenting the world with a plethora of great artists. And the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre gathers excellent dancers around the world who are merit graduates of ballet academies, winners of international competitions, or recipients of major art funds.

The ballet belongs to the series performance of the 2nd China-Russia Festival of Culture and Arts held in Harbin, Heilongjiang province from Aug 5 to 12.