“Shanghai Ballet’s The Butterfly Lovers, a four-act ballet choreographed by Xin Lili, the artistic director of the company, mingles western classicism with exquisite Chinese décor and remarkable pageantry; the costumes and scenery that filled Zellerbach’s stage Friday night are to die for. There are tons of tutus, opulent with color, shine, and sparkle; butterfly designs are picked out in rhinestone tracery and echoed on a pink backdrop. There are handsome kimonos and flowing silks. And these dancers, roughly 35 men and women, are great to look at — long-legged, slender, handsome, and beautiful.”

“…an elegant mixture of Asian delicacy and Western style…Located in Shanghai, the troupe, established in 1979, has been the recipient of a total of 32 medals in various dance categories from around the world. However, this record should come as no surprise to those who saw the world-class company’s overwhelmingly gorgeous performance of The Butterfly Lovers, a full-length ballet combining rare beauty and technical perfection.”

“The performance by the 33-year-old company was as much a display of perfect craftsmanship as any Chinese art form. The vibrant and intricate costumes, the impressive set designs, and of course the elegant dancing were the elements of a jewel of an evening. […] Few companies of this size demonstrate such immaculate unison of dancing among a full stage of performers who each shine in their details.”

“As one might expect from the Shanghai Ballet, the three lead dancers exuded stage presence. But that might also be said of the entire company, which made each step look at once spontaneous and evitable… “The Butterfly Lovers” blended inspired artistry and sheer craft in a manner that’s seldom seen in these times of lowest-common-denominator entertainment. The ballet was also a splendid example of what the art form is known for: images that linger.”

“…a Giselle that was technically exquisite and emotionally moving.”

“…the young dancer Bingxue Qi magnified all eyes with her masterly rendition of Giselle. The range of psychological nuances of the character opens and closes in front of our eyes […] A handsome arm of beauty, a keen sense of pure line, the first dancer of the Shanghai Ballet is promised a beautiful career in just 20 years.”

“On Thursday night, Qi Bingxue presented a featherweight Giselle […] I don’t believe I ever heard her toe shoes touch the stage. Such an airy presence was she, delightful as the happy-go-lucky peasant girl in love, somewhat creepy as she came all undone with insanity at the end of the first act, and lovely and ethereal as a “Wili,” a doomed ghostly victim of an unfaithful lover.”