After visiting the Civil Engineering Department, Duanmu Ci accompanied Chu Xinsu to the Foreign Languages Department the following day for a visually appealing and calming experience. One in two romance novel readers has a registered account on °° website. This trip was indeed very effective; regardless of the quality of the programs, the actors alone were a feast for the eyes. After leaving the Foreign Languages Department, Chu Xinsu exclaimed that the trip was worthwhile. Although Duanmu Ci remained reserved and didn't nod in agreement, his expression betrayed him deeply…
In the following days, Duanmu Ci did not accompany Chu Xinsu to wander around. After all, he was also one of the participants from the School of Literature. With the performance about to begin, what kind of behavior would it be to run around all day instead of rehearsing? He had only accompanied Chu Xinsu to two performances, and Su Wuyu's face was almost frozen. What would happen if he had to watch a few more performances?
Chu Xinsu originally didn't intend to let Duanmu Ci go, but seeing Su Wuyu's expression, he didn't dare to continue "abducting" Duanmu Ci. Otherwise, if he didn't let Duanmu Ci go, that beautiful teacher might not let him go either.
After several days of rehearsals, the Arts Festival of the School of Humanities is about to begin—
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Duanmu Ci and his group's performance was scheduled for last, essentially the grand finale. Since most of the school's performances had already concluded, and the School of Humanities' was the last, a large audience was expected. The school specifically dispatched security personnel to the open space in front of the art gallery to maintain order and prevent stampedes, disputes, or other unpleasant incidents.
Duanmu Ci and his group had been rehearsing their performance at the Duanmu Hall for a long time. Everyone had only heard their voices but never seen them, so everyone was really looking forward to their performance. Most of the other groups' rehearsals were seen by others, so they weren't that special. Only their performance was hidden deep within the "palace," unseen by outsiders. As the saying goes, "what you can't have is the best," and the students of Haishan University fully demonstrated this stubborn spirit, even staying up all night just to see Duanmu Ci's group perform!
The performance by the Faculty of Arts was brilliant; their talent in literature is truly remarkable. The atmosphere inside the art gallery was electric, and even students from other colleges watching the large screen outside were cheering enthusiastically. However, their cheers were probably mostly because they'd spotted a particularly attractive woman…
The performance schedule gradually moved forward, and soon it was the second-to-last group's turn. The next group was Duanmu Ci—
This performance is Western ballet, a classical European dance that originated during the Renaissance. It is highly entertaining. It began to develop and become popular in France in the latter half of the 17th century, gradually becoming professionalized and sweeping the world through continuous innovation. Audiences particularly love it because the female dancers often perform on their toes, a truly stunning sight.
This performance is of the ballet classic "Swan Lake". Originally a ballet composed by Tchaikovsky for the Imperial Opera House in Moscow between 1875 and 1876, it premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on February 20, 1877. The composer later adapted the original work into the "Swan Lake" Suite, which is performed in concert.
Swan Lake is the most famous ballet in the world and a staple of the repertoire of all classical ballet companies.
Therefore, Duanmu Ci found it hard to understand how a dance troupe composed of students could have the courage and ability to perform such a difficult piece.
Finally, Tang Luoluo hit the nail on the head and revealed the truth: "They hired a professional ballet troupe, and more than half of the performers weren't from Haishan University—" Then she added angrily, "That's cheating!"
Duanmu Ci listened without speaking, only looking at the stage. He had to admit, the performance was truly brilliant. A formidable opponent—
However, this version of "Swan Lake," like Duanmu Ci's "Dance of the Rainbow Feathers," is also an abridged version. Time constraints were one reason, and the students' insufficient dance skills were another. The latter's content is more substantial than the former, which is unavoidable, a situation Duanmu Ci deeply understands.
Soon, amidst cheers, the ballet dancers left the stage, and it was Duanmu Ci's turn to perform.
The audience suddenly noticed that the entire venue had gone dark and all the lights had been turned off, causing a slight commotion. At that moment, Duanmu Ci and his group took advantage of the darkness to enter the stage and take their positions, with all the props neatly arranged.
When the lights came on, the audience suddenly realized that the ballerinas in short dresses and skirts were gone, replaced by a group of stunningly beautiful women in ancient costumes... and a handsome young man in white.
"Bravo!" The audience was immediately struck by the stunning presentation. Cheers from outside the art gallery echoed each other, creating a continuous, resounding chorus. The previous performance had been Western dance, but now it had transformed into pure Eastern dance and music. This dramatic contrast was all the more breathtaking!
Soon, music filled the air, played on purely ancient instruments. The timbre and melody were exquisite. Among the judges, an elderly professor with a background in music began to nod in admiration. The other students, though lacking in musical expertise, could still distinguish between pleasant and unpleasant music and immediately shouted "Bravo!"
"Gazing into the distance from the pavilion, I see fallen lotus blossoms scattered on the riverbank, unable to return home; I am ill and lack the strength. Moreover, my silk fan is growing thinner, my silk robes are being loosened, and time flies by in the blink of an eye. I sigh that the swallows on the apricot beams seem like guests. Where are they now? Only a pale moon shines through the curtain, as if illuminating their faces."
Desolate and quiet, crickets chirp incessantly against the wall. A sense of melancholy, like a woven tapestry, stirs within me. Lost in thought, I ponder the carefree days of my youth. The flute plays of distant mountains and willows by the streets, fallen petals carry no message. The dark waters flow gently, a trickle of emerald. Long adrift, what is the meaning of this present moment? Drunk, I lie beside the wine shop.
The lyrics, once sung, further enhanced the classical atmosphere, and the audience's interest soared.
Smoke billowed from the stage, creating an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere. Dancers in white began to move gracefully, like floating clouds. Duanmu Ci and Su Wuyu, as the lead dancers, naturally attracted the most attention, standing at the very front. They performed the most movements, while the others were largely relegated to supporting roles and background.
In fact, in terms of looks alone, Duanmu Ci and Su Wuyu are the most eye-catching.
Duanmu Ci, dressed in a flowing white ancient robe, exuded elegance, resembling a scholar from antiquity. Su Wuyu, in her white palace attire, was as noble as an ice lotus. The two standing together were truly a sight to behold!
The dancers moved back and forth, and Su Wuyu and Duanmu Ci also interacted. A long, lingering gaze, a hesitant yet welcoming hand in hand, and a sorrowful glance back all greatly stirred the emotions and hearts of the audience.
If the performances of the previous performers were technical, then Duanmu Ci and his group's performances were artistic. In terms of level, they are not on the same level. Of course, to do this, one must first have the ability; as the saying goes, "one must be strong to forge iron," otherwise, one will end up with a failed attempt at imitation.
The audience seemed to be completely immersed in the story, as if they were the man himself, meeting the fairy in the moon palace, but ultimately, due to their incompatible mortal and divine natures, they were destined to part ways.
After the dance ended, the audience erupted in unprecedented screams and applause, making it clear who had won and who had lost.
The songs and dances of the Tang Dynasty still possess an unparalleled charm in the 21st century. (To be continued.)
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