Media Invitation
16-19.8.2007 - 7:30pm
18-19.8.2007 - 2:30pm
Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall
Hong Kong Ballet proudly presents the everlasting romantic classic Swan Lake on 16 -19 August at Sha Tin Town Hall. This production sees the collaboration between Artistic Director John Meehan and two of the Company's gifted young choreographers, Carlo Pacis and Selina Chau who add new choreography to the traditional version of Swan Lake by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.
Swan Lake has been the most popular ballet in the world since its successful 1895 première in St. Petersburg. Firmly based on the original choreography of Petipa and Ivanov, Hong Kong Ballet's Swan Lake offers refreshing choreography including the Waltz and Polonaise in Act I and new character dances in Act III. John, Carlo and Selina have also collaborated on the dramatic action of the ballet.
Carlo said, "I would like my contribution to enable the story to be told well, and the rich history behind Swan Lake compels me to try my best in this venture." Selina said, "The challenge for me has been to bring out a uniqueness in each character while at the same time keeping a sense of harmony with the entire ballet.".
"We have each come to this creation with utmost respect, our imaginations primed." said John Meehan.
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, the Hong Kong Ballet has invited Zhang Jian, Principal Artist of the National Ballet of China, as Guest Principal Dancer for the evening performance on 18 August.
Rehearsal of Swan Lake is on and Zhang Jian will arrive in Hong Kong on 9 August to join the rehearsal. Media interview and rehearsal visit are welcome. For enquiries, please call 2105 9722 Ms. Cheung or 2105 9712 Ms. Wong.
Programme details
Choreography : Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov
Additional Choreography : John Meehan, Carlo Pacis, Selina Chau
Music : Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set & Costume : Peter Farmer
Additional Costume : Harvy Santos
Lighting Design : Leo Cheung
Guest Principal Dancer: Zhang Jian (18.8-7:30pm)
Principal Artist of The National Ballet of China
16-19.8.2007 - 7:30pm
18-19.8.2007 - 2:30pm
Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall
$280, 220, 160, 100
$300, 230, 160, 100 (18.8 - 7:30pm)
Tickets available NOW at all URBTIX outlets
Reservations: 2734 9009
Credit Card Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking : www.urbtix.hk
Programme Enquiries: 2105 9724 / marketing@hkballet.com
For age 6 or above
Notes to Editors:
Additional Choreography
John Meehan - Artistic Director
- Born in Australian, has been an active member of the international dance world as a performer, teacher, choreographer and an artistic director for the past 35 years.
- Artistic Director of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet (1990-1993), The American Ballet Theatre Studio Company (1997 to 2006). Appointed as the Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Ballet since July 2006.
- Began choreographing early in the career, works entered the repertoire of The Australian Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Washington Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Company and Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Carlo Pacis
- Born in Philippine. Graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) in 1998 with First-class Honours in the BFA-Dance (Hons) Programme, then joined the Hong Kong Ballet.
- Received the Hong Kong Dance Award in 2002 for his technical artistry and the depth of his dramatic reading of roles.
- A talented young choreographer, Carlo has created a number of short works for the Company's choreographic workshops and education programmes since 2000. His work in 2004, Beatles on a String, performed in the Company's Trilogy programme, was acclaimed as a promising piece and his work in 2005, There's a Fly in this Soup performed in the Company's Celebrate January with Classics and Beyond was well received, and the Company was invited to perform this ballet in the 1st Asia Pacific Ballet Festival held in Seoul in 2006. His latest work for the Company Hesperidium was performed in Primary Moves in January 2007.
- Now pursuing study in the HKAPA's MFA programme.
- Currently, a Soloist and Choreographic Apprentice with the Hong Kong Ballet.
Selina Chau
- Born in Hong Kong. Graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) in 1998 with First-class Honours in the BFA-Dance Programme and joined the Hong Kong Ballet in the same year.
- During her years with the HKAPA, Selina has received numerous awards including the Lecturer's Award, the SAPA Award and the Bat Grant of the Asian Cultural Council, for further dance study at the American Dance Festival. Her earlier works, Imagine Forever and Birthday Wish were invited to participate in a tour to Taiwan and the 1998 Philippine International Dance Festival.
- In 2000, Selina was invited by the HKAPA's Junior Dance Programme to choreograph Wish Upon a Star for the Shanghai Youth Dance Festival. From 2000-2005, Selina has created One Papa Day and What About Me...? for the Company's Choreographic Workshops, Beautiful that Way for Classics and Beyond. Latest work Tainted Sheet was performed in the Company's production Primary Moves in January 2007.
- Currently, a Coryphée and Choreographic Apprentice with the Hong Kong Ballet.
Principal Guest Artist
Zhang Jian
- A top-grade China National Dancer and the Principal Artist with the National Ballet of China.
- Graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy in 1996, and won the Gold Medal at the 8th Moscow International Ballet Competition in 1997.
- Danced principal roles in full-length ballets, including Giselle, The Red Detachment of Women, Raise the Red Lantern, new version of Fountain of Tears and Sylvia and in contemporary ballet repertoire including The Yellow River and Rite of Spring, also in many Balanchine ballets.
- Being invited to dance with the Houston Ballet performing lead roles in Romeo and Juliet, Etudes and Three Preludes in 2000, to perform in the Gala of the 2nd Shanghai International Ballet Competition in 2001, to dance the principal role in Swan Lake for the Hong Kong Ballet in 2001 and for the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2002, to perform in Arts Festival in America in 2003, to dance Le Corsaire for Texas Ballet Theatre and Etudes for The Royal Danish Ballet in 2005.
Photos
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| Dancers: Jin Yao, Brett Simon Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
Dancer: Jin Yao Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
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| Dancers: Faye Leung, Liang Jing Photo: Jimmy Chan |
Dancer: Jin Yao Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
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| Photo: Jimmy Chan |