《丝路花雨》
《丝路花雨》1979年诞生于中国西北的兰州，由中国甘肃省歌舞团（今甘肃敦煌艺术剧院）创作并首演，是取材于敦煌壁画的中国大型民族舞剧。该剧是以中 国唐朝极盛时期为背景的六场历史舞剧，歌颂了老画工神笔张和歌伎英娘父女俩的艺术劳动，描写了他们的悲欢离合，以及他们与波斯商人伊努斯之间的纯洁友谊。高度颂扬了中原和西域人民源远流长的友谊，再现了唐朝内政昌明、对外经济文化交往频繁的盛况。其中，女主角英娘表演的“反弹琵琶”，成为中国舞的经典造型。
《丝路花雨》上舞台40多年来，历久弥新，不仅是中国甘肃的一张名片，更享有“中国民族舞剧之最”“中国民族舞剧里程碑”“东方的天鹅湖”等美誉。该剧久演不衰，所到之处盛况空前。该剧被誉为“中国民族舞剧的典范”，并作为20世纪中国舞蹈经典剧目载入中华民族艺术史册。
Along the Silk Road
Along the Silk Road was created and premiered in 1979 in Lanzhou, northwestern China, by Gansu Song and Dance Troupe (now Gansu Dunhuang Arts Theatre). It is a large-scale Chinese ethnic dance drama inspired by Dunhuang murals. The play consists of six historical dance dramas set against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty at its peak, celebrating the artistic labor of the old painter Zhang and his daughter, Ying Niang, a singer. It depicts their joys and sorrows, as well as their pure friendship with a Persian merchant named Yinus. The drama celebrates the long- standing friendship between the people of the Central Plains and the Western Regions, showcasing the flourishing internal governance and frequent economic and cultural exchanges during the Tang time. Notably, the Playing the Pipa from the Back performed by the female lead has become a classic pose in Chinese dance.
Along the Silk Road has been staged for over 40 years and remains as fresh as ever. It is not only a calling card for Gansu, China, but also enjoys reputation as "the best Chinese ethnic dance drama", "a milestone in Chinese ethnic dance drama", and "Swan Lake of the East". The play has been performed extensively, drawing unprecedented crowds wherever it has been shown. Regarded as a "model of Chinese ethnic dance drama", it has been included in the annals of Chinese national art history as a classic work of 20th-century Chinese dance.
