Feng Ying (right), head of National Ballet of China, deliveres an opening speech at the ballet season's debut gala. The event was co-hosted by Swedish ambassador to China Lars Peter Fredén (center) and noted ballerina Cao Shuci of the National Ballet of China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The season's first snowfall on Friday brought severe cold to Beijingover the weekend, but it didn't affect the success of the opening galas of the 2nd China International Ballet Season. World-renowned dancers from top ballet troupes all over the world, such as the Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Theater of Russia and American Ballet Theater, treated Beijing ballet fans to stunning performances on Friday and Saturday nights.

The gala was co-hosted by Lars Peter Fredén, who is the Swedish ambassador to China as well as a ballet fan, and noted ballerina Cao Shuci of the National Ballet of China. In fluent Chinese and with a humorous hosting style, Fredén made a cameo appearance in a piece by the National Ballet of China and several times won the audience’s applause.