Ballet will remember martyr's sacrifice

To prepare for creating the new ballet, My Name is Ding Xiang, Wang, along with artists of Suzhou Ballet Theatre, traveled to Yuhuatai Scenic Area in Nanjing, which is known for several tourist attractions that preserve the stories of the martyrs, including Ding.

"I was touched by her story, which deserves to be known by today's young generation. When she died, she was three-months pregnant. Her husband missed her so much," says Wang, adding that the roles, including Ding Xiang, Le Yuhong, Le's second wife, Shi Zhongman, and Le's daughter Le Dingxiang, will be portrayed in the ballet production.

From reading the documents, Wang also learned that Ding loved to play piano while her husband loved to play erhu. The two musical instruments will be featured in the ballet production to mark their love.

"The story of Ding Xiang is quite different from any other female characters I've portrayed in my other works. I want to show respect to her and many other female martyrs with the ballet production, which I consider as an ode to women,"Wang says.

According Li Ying, founder and artistic director of Suzhou Ballet Theatre, the new ballet production, like the past eight ballet productions the company has created since it was founded in 2007, will feature distinctive styles of Suzhou, such as the stage setting, music and costumes. For example, the exquisite design and beauty of Suzhou's gardens and architecture, will be featured.

She adds that the company has been exploring Chinese style ballet for years with its productions, such as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Legend of Beauty, which was based on the story of renowned Chinese beauty Xi Shi during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), and Tang Yin, which centers on the story of the famous Chinese painter, calligrapher and poet of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

"With the unique Suzhou style, we want to tell stories and deliver emotions in a very subtle and poetic way," says Li.

Born in Shanghai Li started dancing at the age of 11. A former ballerina, Li founded the Suzhou Ballet Theatre in 2007 along with her husband, Pan Jiabin, also a former ballet dancer, who is a native of Suzhou.