The Hong Kong Ballet will present a mixed bill production All Tchaikovsky on 28 to 30 March at Sha Tin Town Hall. The production showcases five spectacular works set to Tchaikovsky music - Grand Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty by Marius Petipa, Theme and Variations and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux by George Balanchine, Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake Act I by Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director John Meehan, and The Way Alone, a newly commissioned work by Resident Choreographer of The Australian Ballet Stephen Baynes.
When asked to name their favourite ballet composer, most people wouldn't hesitate to say, "Tchaikovsky". In reality, Tchaikovsky collaborated with choreographer Marius Petipa to write only three dedicated ballet scores - Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. However, the beauty and depth of Tchaikovsky's music has inspired numerous works of ballet by choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries. All Tchaikovsky explores a variety of Tchaikovsky's compositions and pay tribute to the lyricism and richness of his music with the beauty and expressiveness of dance.
Perfect for a company riding high on critical acclaim for Artistic Director John Meehan, this latest mixed-bill displays the technical strength and artistic versatility of the Hong Kong Ballet. Moreover, this production builds on the Company's broad repertoire, which includes not only classics, like Swan Lake, but also important 20th century works and newly commissioned ballets.
"...the programme (Momentum) shows the troupe well on the way to artistic director John Meehan's goal of making them (Hong Kong Ballet) a world class company."
- South China Morning Post
The Way Alone (Choreography: Stephen Baynes) - World Première
"The dance is really an interpretation of the music and, being Tchaikovsky, the mood is somewhat bleak or at least meditative."
- Stephen Baynes
The Hong Kong Ballet commissioned Stephen Baynes, Resident Choreographer of The Australia Ballet, to create this world première performance. Choosing an eclectic mix from Tchaikovsky's oeuvre, Stephen Baynes takes as his theme the forging of a new future with reference to the past. This allows him to relate classical ballet to contemporary dance, while treating each dancer as an individual character.
Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake Act I (Choreography: John Meehan)
"I decided to add the pas de quatre in the place of the traditional pas de trios in Act I of Swan Lake as I wanted to add another dancing role for a male... With men's technique at such a high level and constantly evolving, it is important to showcase their abilities."
- John Meehan
Created in August 2007, Meehan's Swan Lake Act I pas de quatre revisits Tchaikovsky's memorable score and infuses it with fresh ideas.
Grand Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty (Choreography: Marius Petipa)
First seen on 3 January 1890, Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ends with Petipa's spectacular Grand Pas de Deux. Prince Florimund's kiss has broken the witch's spell and awoken Princess Aurora from a hundred year sleep. This lyrical dance celebrates the couple's love and concludes with breathtaking solos by both dancers.
Theme and Variations (Choreography: George Balanchine)
Taking the final movement of Tchaikovsky's Suite No. 3 for Orchestra, Balanchine created this show-stopping ballet in 1947. Theme and Variations evokes the history of the Russian Imperial Ballet. Intriguingly, Balanchine had to devise steps at speeds not danced to hitherto, creating new, exhilarating challenges for all the dancers.
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux (Choreography: George Balanchine)
In 1960 Balanchine again turned to Tchaikovsky. The music for this pas de deux was originally intended for the pas de deux in Act III of Swan Lake, but later discarded by Petipa. From this music, Balanchine created "a display piece, based on the music and the maximum gifts of virtuoso performers".
Providing a direct link with Balanchine himself, the Hong Kong Ballet has invited virtuoso ballerina Merrill Ashley as Répétiteur for the Balanchine ballets. It will be her second visit to the Hong Kong Ballet since September 2006 for the production Balanchine and Beyond. She will arrive Hong Kong in Mid March for the Company's rehearsals.
For media enquiries and interviews, please contact Ms. Cheung at 2105 9722 or Ms. Wong at 2105 9712.
Programme details
28-29.3.2008 (8:00pm)
29-30.3.2008 (3:00pm)
Auditorium,
Sha Tin Town Hall
$280, 220, 160, 100
Tickets available NOW at all URBTIX Outlets
- Reservations:
- 2734 9009 / www.urbtix.hk
- Enquiries
- 2105 9724 / marketing@hkballet.com
For age 6 or above
Notes to Editors:
John Meehan - Artistic Director / Choreographer of Swan Lake Act I Pas de Quatre
- 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 (1997-2006). 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.
Stephen Baynes - Choreographer of The Way Alone
- Born in Adelaide, Australian appointed as the Resident Choreographer of The Australian Ballet in 1995
- Danced with The Australian Ballet (1976-81, 1985-1994) and the Stuttgart Ballet (1981-84). Worked with choreographers such as Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, William Forsythe and Hans van Manen.
- Created works for a number of international dance companies including New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Queensland Ballet and Sydney Dance Company, West Australian Ballet.
Merrill Ashley - Répétiteur for Balanchine ballets
- Invited by George Balanchine, Merrill joined the New York City Ballet in 1967 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1977. For 30 years, Merrill was a company member of New York City Ballet, and for 20 of those, one of the company's major ballerinas. Now is the Teaching Associate of the New York City Ballet.
- Balanchine choreographed his first ballet for Merrill Ashley, Ballo Della Regina, of which Time Magazine called Merrill "an allegro dancer without peer". In 1980 Balanchine choreographed one of his last ballets, Ballade for Merrill.
- Merrill's career has been succinctly summed up by the Wall Street Journal : "she basically taught the world how ballet is danced".
