[Hong Kong - 27 June 2008] - The Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is proud to present a new full-length production of the beloved classic comedy ballet, Coppélia, from August 22 to 24 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. With choreography by Ronald Hynd, whose critically acclaimed production of The Merry Widow was performed by HKB last May, and gorgeous sets and costumes by the award-winning Roberta Guidi di Bagno, it will be "a joyful, colourful ballet which is suitable for children and adults alike." (Daily Express)
John Meehan, Artistic Director of The Hong Kong Ballet said: "Coppélia is one of the staple classics in the ballet repertoire. It has a great score and is a very well crafted piece of theatre. Ronald Hynd's choreography is one of the most charming and authentic productions around and that is why I chose it."
Originally subtitled "the girl with enameled eyes", Coppélia is set in a small village in Europe and is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's light-hearted story Der Sandmann. It tells the tale of Dr Coppélius - an eccentric old inventor who fools the villagers with his creation of a beautiful mechanical doll - Coppélia. So life-like in appearance, she attracts the amorous attention of the flirtatious Franz who breaks into her creator's house to get a closer look. In an attempt to save her lover and dupe the conniving doctor, Swanilda slips into the house pretending to be the doll in life form. The result is a frivolous scene of mistaken identity which happily ends in a joyful marriage.
Originally created in 1870 for the Paris Opera by Arthur Saint-Léon (1821-70), it was also the first ballet to introduce the czardas, a Hungarian dance, and the mazurka, a Polish dance, as these 'character dances' were popular ballroom dances in the mid-nineteenth century.
British choreographer Ronald Hynd's productions have been performed by many international companies such as La Scala, Royal Danish Ballet, The Australian Ballet and Tokyo Ballet. Coppélia is one of his acclaimed productions originally created for The English National Ballet in 1985 and has remained one of the major works in their repertoire. His Coppélia provides a challenge for all the dancers in the Company, but particularly for the female principal dancer in the role of Swanilda. The role has been described as not only technically exacting, requiring full use of classical technique, but is also a showcase for the ballerina's comic and character acting skills.
The success of Coppélia is inextricably linked to the wonderful music of Léo Delibes, who also wrote the ballet score of Sylvia (to be performed by The Royal Ballet in Hong Kong this July). The Hong Kong Ballet will be accompanied live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, under the baton of Yip Wing-sie.
Coppélia will be performed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre from 22 to 24 August 2008 (7:30pm on Fri, Sat & Sun / 2:30pm on Sat and Sun). Prices range from HK$580 to $160 (VIP Tickets at $1000 available on Fri and Sat evenings). Tickets are available at all URBTIX outlets now (Tel. 2734 9009 / www.urbtix.hk). A range of fringe activities will be held for ticket-holders of Coppélia, including a pre-performance talk, two pre-performance workshops (before the two matinee shows) as well as a photo opportunity with comic characters from the ballet (after the Saturday matinee). For registration and enquiries, call 2105 9743 or email education@hkballet.com (workshops) and call 2105 9724 or email emarketing@hkballet.com (talk and photo session). Full details can be found on www.hkballet.com.
Programme details
22-23.8 (7:30pm)
$1000 (VIP), 580, 380, 280, 180
23-24.8 (2:30pm) / 24.8 (7:30pm)
$560, 360, 260, 160
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets available at all URBTIX outlets now
- Reservations
- 2734 9009 / www.urbtix.hk
- Programme Enquiries
- 2105 9724 / marketing@hkballet.com
For age 3 or above
Additional Information
Ronald Hynd - Choreographer
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Roberta Guidi di Bagno - Set and Costume Designer
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Léo Delibes - Composer
(1836 - 1891) |
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Photos
Click to enlarge
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| Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Brett Simon Photo: Hei |
Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Brett Simon Photo: Hei |
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| Coppélia Dancer:Conrad Dy-Liacco Photo: Hei |
Coppélia Dancers: Kyoko Tomimura, Conrad Dy-Liacco Photo: Hei |
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| Coppélia Dancers: Kyoko Tomimura, Conrad Dy-Liacco Photo: Hei |
Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Brett Simon Photo: Hei |
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| Coppélia Dancers: Brett Simon, Faye Leung, Conrad Dy-Liacco Photo: Hei |
About The Hong Kong Ballet
The Hong Kong Ballet is recognized as one of the leading ballet companies in Asia, and constitutes the sole professional ballet company in Hong Kong. Led by Artistic Director John Meehan, the Company's 43 dancers participate in more than 40 performances every year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets to an estimated audience of over 45,000. Since its founding in 1979, the Hong Kong Ballet has emerged as an effective international ambassador for Hong Kong, making more than 17 international tours to 10 countries since 1997. The Company's repertoire ranges from the great full-length ballets of the 19th century such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Giselle, to some of the best classical works of the 20th century, including Balanchine's Rubies, Theme and Variations and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Antony Tudor's Jardin aux Lilas, Serge Lifar's Suite en Blanc, Rudi van Dantzig's Romeo and Juliet and Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow. The repertoire also includes acclaimed contemporary masterpieces such as Stephen Mill's Hush and Stanton Welch's Clear. The Company regularly conducts active educational and community outreach programmes to an annual audience of 20,000.
Press Contacts:
Heidi Chik |
Caroline Cheung |