By Matt Naughtin Music Librarian for San Francisco Ballet September 28, 2009
We finished our run in Shanghai and arrived in Beijing yesterday. The weather is blissfully cool and dry. Shanghai was so humid and warm that I couldn’t walk outside without breaking into a sweat.
The only cool things in Shanghai were the audiences, which, as Lily Rogers noted, were much more reserved than we’re used to. I’ve been told that this is to be expected in China, where a big show of enthusiasm is “uncool.” I was at two of the performances, and when I shouted “Bravo” a couple of times, people turned around and looked at me like I was mental.
I haven’t done much exploring here yet, but the feel in Beijing seems to be quite different. The traffic is heavy, but it doesn’t seem as frenzied as in Shanghai. The city is all dressed up for the big celebrations coming on National Day (Oct. 1). It’s the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic, and the parades and fireworks are going to be spectacular. I’m heading off to the first orchestra rehearsal here this morning. We’re hoping the musicians are as good as those in Shanghai.
I was there on the first night of Swan Lake in Shanghai. Actually I saw you, Mr. Naught, on right side of the first row, in green shirt energetically, right?
Usually the audience are cool which is a fact, but even I myself felt the response around is a bit reserved. The performance is spectacular, esp. Yuanyuan, Tiilt and 4 male sole dancers of first act. Though I was expecting the same production as you did in Memorial theater in SF (feather head pin I mean), the choreograph and music have been out of expectation enough to surprise us. Thank you. If it were not you, i thought most of the fans here would not bother to see another show of Swan Lake. You know too many Swan Lakes here, we are too eager to see Giselle, Othello or more Mr.B and contemporary works. Last but not least, I’d like to share you some “backstage” thing of audience which may help you to understand audience here a bit: some audience, are busy taking photos rather than applauding when the curtains were off. Also, some hurried out because the path to the parking lot is terrible and it;s hard to hail cab in the downtown theater area (government office right besides). Also, some of audiences are young students who have to return home right away to finish their homework…Anyway, we are very happy to have you guys in the town! Welcome as always!
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I was there on the first night of Swan Lake in Shanghai. Actually I saw you, Mr. Naught, on right side of the first row, in green shirt energetically, right?
Usually the audience are cool which is a fact, but even I myself felt the response around is a bit reserved. The performance is spectacular, esp. Yuanyuan, Tiilt and 4 male sole dancers of first act. Though I was expecting the same production as you did in Memorial theater in SF (feather head pin I mean), the choreograph and music have been out of expectation enough to surprise us. Thank you. If it were not you, i thought most of the fans here would not bother to see another show of Swan Lake. You know too many Swan Lakes here, we are too eager to see Giselle, Othello or more Mr.B and contemporary works. Last but not least, I’d like to share you some “backstage” thing of audience which may help you to understand audience here a bit: some audience, are busy taking photos rather than applauding when the curtains were off. Also, some hurried out because the path to the parking lot is terrible and it;s hard to hail cab in the downtown theater area (government office right besides). Also, some of audiences are young students who have to return home right away to finish their homework…Anyway, we are very happy to have you guys in the town! Welcome as always!