In brief
The Shanghai Ballet brought Giselle to New York’s Tilles Center, delighting audiences with the precise technique of its Chinese dancers. The two‑hour performance was part of the company’s 2026 U.S. tour, which covers 13 cities across eight states and pairs Giselle with the original ballet The Butterfly Lovers.
The Shanghai Ballet brought the classical ballet Giselle to the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Long Island on Sunday night, captivating New York audiences with the precision of its Chinese dancers.
The two‑hour, two‑act ballet ends with an "eternal" love lament and a stunned ovation, the director Ji Pingping said after the performance.
Miya Dunham, a New Yorker, said:
"I was impressed by the poetic atmosphere and magnificent performances of the Chinese dancers,"
She added, "It was such a beautiful experience."
Student Natasha, who attended her first Chinese company show, remarked, "It truly exceeded my expectations; Chinese dancers demonstrated extraordinary techniques and remarkable skills."
The show was a centerpiece of Shanghai Ballet’s 2026 U.S. tour, which, according to Xinhua, covers 13 cities across eight states from October 13 to November 12 and pairs Giselle with the original ballet The Butterfly Lovers.
Only Xinhua reports that the tour includes 13 cities—this detail is not mentioned elsewhere.
Founded in 1979, Shanghai Ballet blends Chinese and Western traditions, staging classics like Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet as well as original works such as The White‑Haired Girl and The Butterfly Lovers.
Ji Pingping said: "Since our first U.S. tour in 2002, Shanghai Ballet artists have performed nearly 100 shows and created cherished memories."
