Stars of this massive choreographed waterdance include the stunning 210-foot, 86-year-old training vessel Sorlandet -- which will sail all the way from its home in Norway.
One of the most visually stunning moments comes in the first act, with thedance of the Shuixiu (water sleeve) princesses, where dancers move wearing long flowing silk sleeves that are designed to accentuate and articulate their emotions.
The festival begins with Mr. Varone and the premiere of his dance "Mouth Above Water" (Feb. 22-24), a fractured take on a folk tale examining themes of love, murder and music.
As the day fades away, the sun enters a slow dance with the mountains, reflecting an ever-changing kaleidoscope of hues in thewater below before finally creeping behind the peaks.