On the evening of July 17th, the stage of the Guangzhou Opera House came alive as rising stars and Prix de Lausanne winners Huang Jingxinyu and Cao Yufei performed together for the first time. Delivering the "Le Corsaire" pas de deux that struck a masterful counterpoint of strength and grace, the duo showcased flawless chemistry that raised the curtain on the "Glory Chinese Ballet Stars Gala" ("Glory Chinese"), a headline event of the 2026 Guangzhou Art Season. Produced, directed, and artistically curated by Ao Dingwen, the "Glory Chinese" features renowned ballet dancers Bai Dingkai and Liang Zecheng, all of whom sat down for an exclusive interview with the Yangcheng Evening News on the eve of the premiere.

Ao Dingwen launched the "Glory Chinese" in 2024, and this production marks the project's grand debut in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Ao shared that she was deeply moved by the resilient, hard-working, and vibrant spirit of the people in the GBA. She also expressed a profound affection for the cultural atmosphere nurtured by the rich soil of Lingnan heritage, noting that Guangzhou's artistic scene is inclusive, diverse, and international, beautifully preserving a youthful and localized vitality while steadily advancing toward top-tier, world-class excellence.

Bai Dingkai, a long-time friend of "Glory Chinese", made history this June as the first-ever Chinese principal dancer at the Norwegian National Ballet. Bai remarked that since moving abroad, he had not had many opportunities to return and perform in China. He noted that this gala had given him the perfect chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones, viewing it as a precious opportunity to absorb new influences, learn, and elevate his craft.

In addition to international stars, the audience will witness local talent shine at this year's "Glory Chinese". Liang Zecheng, a 2009 graduate of the Guangzhou Arts School, recently became the first Asian principal dancer in the history of the Philadelphia Ballet. For his appearance in "Glory Chinese", he has collaborated with his alma mater to co-create a bespoke ballet piece. Liang expressed that as a diaspora artist, returning to Guangzhou to collaborate with his alma mater and bring his younger peers onto this professional stage was incredibly meaningful. He added that just as his school had paved a smooth path for his career, he hoped to use this opportunity to give back to the next generation and honor the institution that raised him.

“华人之光”芭蕾演出首次亮相羊城

7月17日晚，在广州大剧院舞台上，由洛桑国际芭蕾舞比赛获奖新星黄靖馨雨、曹钰非首次同台演绎的《海盗》双人舞，一刚一柔默契相和，拉开了2026广州艺术季“华人之光·芭蕾明星GALA”（以下简称“华人之光”）演出的序幕。在演出前夕，“华人之光”制作人、总导演、艺术总监敖定雯，芭蕾舞者白鼎恺、梁泽程接受了羊城晚报专访。

敖定雯于2024年发起“华人之光”，本次演出，是“华人之光”项目启动以来首次亮相大湾区。敖定雯说：“大湾区人们拼搏奋斗、生生不息的精神内核深深打动着我。我非常喜欢岭南文化沃土所滋养出的氛围。广州的文艺气息包容、多元而国际化，既葆有年轻化与本土化的活力，也迈向了精品化的发展。”

“华人之光”的老朋友白鼎恺，今年六月成为挪威国家芭蕾舞团首位首席舞蹈演员。“自从出国以后，我一直没有机会回到国内跳舞。借着这个机会，也认识了很多新朋友、老朋友。对我来说，这也是一种吸收、学习和提升。”

此外，观众在本次“华人之光”也能看到广州的芭蕾力量。广州市艺术学校2009届毕业生梁泽程，成为美国费城芭蕾舞团历史上首位亚洲首席演员。这次参演“华人之光”，他联合母校携手共创专属芭蕾作品，“作为在海外的游子，此次回到广州与母校合作，将师弟师妹们带到这个舞台上，正如母校为我铺平垫稳，我也希望借此机会为下一代、为母校做点事情。”

文 | 记者 李娇娇 黄宙辉 通讯员 姚惠
图 | 广州大剧院提供
翻译丨徐芷晴
审校丨曾敏