This spring, renowned British choreographer Maina Gielgud arrived in Liaoning with “the Crown of Ballet”, Giselle.

As one of the world’s leading figures in ballet, Maina has gone to five continents to choreograph classical ballets for more than 30 ballet troupes and has led world-class ensembles, including the Royal Danish Ballet and the Australian Ballet. On her first visit to Shenyang, she felt an immediate sense of familiarity. “Shenyang is a city rich in history and culture. The people are warm and forthright, which makes me feel completely at home,” she said.

That sense of familiarity stems from her deep connection with China. Early in 1965, she performed in China for the first time as a dancer. It was Giselle that she was performing. Decades later, invited to restage the same classic for the Liaoning Ballet of China, she was deeply impressed by the company’s dancers. “Their technique, power, and artistic appeal are on par with the world’s top companies. Even more remarkable is that their nuanced performances and precise character portrayals have exceeded all my expectations.”

In the rehearsal hall, Gielgud shares the insights she has gained from a lifetime with Giselle, guiding everything from principal roles to the corps de ballet. With rigor and passion, she refines every moment, from emotional expression to technical detail. “I hope audiences in Liaoning can experience authentic classical ballet in its purest form,” she said.

She also visited the ballet school affiliated to Liaoning Ballet, praising its scientific and systematic approach to talent development. “It is through such dedication from generation to generation that the art of ballet continues to thrive,” she noted.