Brisbane, Australia CNN —Li Cunxin, who found international fame for his remarkable rise from rural China to become one of the world’s leading ballet dancers, has announced his retirement as the artistic director of Queensland Ballet due to health issues.
Li later moved to Australia with his former dancer partner, now wife, Mary Li, where they became a powerful creative force at Queensland Ballet, one of the country’s premier ballet companies.
“When I think about what Li Cunxin has achieved in life, for his family in China, for his family around the world, for ballet, for Queensland, for Queensland Ballet, it is nothing short of sensational,” Clark said.
Li was tempted back to the stage by the role at Queensland Ballet, which has doubled in size under his stewardship to 48 dancers, performing some of the world’s most challenging repertoires.
Mary Li also works at the company as Ballet Mistress and Principal Repetiteur, and will also be retiring at the end of this season, the statement said.
Persons:
Australia CNN — Li Cunxin, Li, Mao Zedong, Mary Li, ” Li, Brett Clark, Li Cunxin, ” Clark, ”, Queensland Ballet Li Cunxin, Brisbane Patrick Hamilton, Jiang Qing, Mao’s, Madame Mao, Mary McKendry, Repetiteur, Clark, Mary
Organizations:
Australia CNN, Queensland Ballet, Beijing Dance Academy, Consulate
Locations:
Brisbane, Australia, China, United States, Queensland, AFP, Qingdao, Shandong, Texas, American, Houston, Australian