BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The classic ballet "Le Corsaire" will be staged in China for the first time as the opening show of the 2019 National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Dance Festival.

The ballet will be presented in three acts by the famous Italian opera house Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company, together with another classic ballet "Giselle," from Thursday to Sunday at the NCPA.

With a libretto based on the poem "The Corsair" by Lord Byron, "Le Corsaire" is renowned for its length and complex storyline among classic ballets.

The 122-day dance festival will feature 18 shows, including not only classic ballets and contemporary dance by world-class troupes, but also brillant Chinese dance performances, according to the NCPA.