[Hong Kong – 9 June 2009] The annual Fundraising Gala of The Hong Kong Ballet, one of Asia's premier classical ballet companies, is one of the biggest annual charity events in town and a highlight of the Company's 30th anniversary year. It was held on Saturday, 9 May, at the Grand Ballroom of InterContinental Hong Kong hotel. Cartier, a long-term supporter of arts and culture, was the luxury sponsor for this meaningful event. Over 300 distinguished celebrities and socialites graced the evening, among them, world-renowned ballerina and The Hong Kong Ballet's Guest Principal Dancer Tan Yuan Yuan, Japanese star actress Kuoki Meisa, Hidetoshi Nakata, Mr & Mrs Simon Ho, Ms Pansy Ho, Ms Maisy Ho, Mrs Mira Yeh, Ms Ming Ho, Mrs Deirdre Tcheng, Ms Helen Rong, Sir & Mrs Andrew Yuen, Mr & Mrs Alan Chan, Ms Bao Bao Wan, Mr Barney Cheng, Mr Koji Aoyama, as well as guest-of-honour Ms Florence Hui, Under Secretary for Home Affairs Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government.
Fantasy was the theme of this year's Fundraising Gala and guests were encouraged to wear something of sentimental value that brings back special memories of golden moments in their lives.
As guests enjoyed the delicious food and fine wines, they were treated to dazzling performances from members of The Hong Kong Ballet, under the leadership of newly appointed Artistic Director Madeleine Onne. The Company's star dancers - Jin Yao, Zhang Yao, Nobuo Fujino, Chantel Elizabeth Roulston and Wu Fei-fei and others performed excerpts from The Way Alone, created for The Hong Kong Ballet in 2008 by distinguished Australian choreographer Stephen Baynes, as well as Concerto Barocco by the legendary George Balanchine; the latter received critical acclaim when presented at this year's Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Cartier showcased the latest High Jewellery Collection created in its atelier in Paris; these unique works of art also graced the recent 24th La Biennale des Antiquaires in the French capital. These outstanding masterpieces bring to life ancient myths and legendary creatures through skilful and vivid representations of form and spirit worthy of the title “King of Jewellers”.
Guests had the opportunity to bid for a signature diamond watch from Cartier, along with a drawing by the famous Hong Kong-based artist Simon Birch, as well as an incredible collection of wines from Dom Perignon cellars. The Hong Kong Ballet was also grateful to Food Sponsor Mr Richard Li, Champagne Sponsor Dom Pérignon and Printing Sponsor Hong Kong Tatler.
Mr John J. Ying, Board Chairman of The Hong Kong Ballet, said, “Despite the difficult and uncertain financial environment, we are gathering in this ballroom for two serious purposes: to provide critical financial support for a successful group of highly talented artists and to further the development of Hong Kong's creative arts. I would like to thank Cartier and all our wonderful sponsors and the entire Organizing Committee for their hard work, in particular, to the Co-Chairmen Mrs Daisy Ho and Mrs Mira Yeh.”
Co-Chairmen of the Ballet Ball Committee, Mrs Daisy Ho and Mrs Mira Yeh, said, “The sustained development and continued growth of The Hong Kong Ballet is given a vital boost with this fundraising effort. We would like to extend our profound appreciation for the generous support that we have received on every level especially in the midst of economic challenges.”
About The Hong Kong Ballet
The Hong Kong Ballet is one of the premier classical ballet companies in Asia and is becoming internationally recognized as a world-class institution with an identity that fully reflects the unique vitality of Hong Kong. Celebrating our 30th anniversary in 2009, the Company has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organization with accomplished dancers, a strong repertoire, sparkling productions and an original identity. From May 2009, Madeleine Onne, previously Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Ballet, will take up the helm at The Hong Kong Ballet as Artistic Director.
Our 43 dancers originate from nine countries - with a strong core of Chinese artists - and perform a repertoire that combines 19th and 20th century classical masterpieces, acclaimed contemporary works and new ballets commissioned by The Hong Kong Ballet. During the 2008/09 season, the Company's 37 performances of 7 different productions attracted a local audience of 40,000.
Since 1997, The Hong Kong Ballet has raised its international profile and has concluded over 18 tours to 10 different countries in North America, Europe and Asia. In the 2008/09 season, the Company conducted two successful tours in China that received strong critical acclaim, including an appearance in the 2008 Shanghai International Arts Festival and a debut at the Opera House of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
Our repertoire reflects both the heritage and origin of ballet in Europe as well as contemporary influences, particularly those in China. The Company performs the great full length ballets, such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Giselle, and the finest classical works of the 20th Century, including Balanchine's Concerto Barocco, Theme and Variations and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Rudi van Dantzig's Romeo and Juliet, Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow and Coppélia. We also perform acclaimed contemporary ballets, such as William Forsythe's Steptext, Stephen Mill's Hush and Stanton Welch's Clear. Our commissioned works include David Allan's Cinderella, Wayne Eagling's The Last Emperor, Yuri Ng's yeah yeah XI MEN QING, Natalie Weir's Turandot, Carlo Pacis' Beatles on a String, Eve Chan's Night Light and Stephen Baynes' The Way Alone.
Another integral part of The Hong Kong Ballet's activities are our educational and community outreach programmes. The Creative Ballet Animateur Scheme, Youth Intensive Programme, Sunday Ballet Workshops and Pre-performance Workshops, as well as lecture-demonstrations, pre-performance talks, master classes and backstage tours, serve to increase awareness and deepen appreciation of ballet among the youth. By bringing the art of ballet to the wider community of Hong Kong, we reached 30,000 people during the 2008/09 season.
Press Contacts:
| Heidi Chik PR and Marketing Manager Hong Kong Ballet Tel. 2105 9742 heidi_chik@hkballet.com |
Irene So Assistant Marketing Manager Hong Kong Ballet Tel: 2105 9723 irene_so@hkballet.com |
| Chloe Kwung Marketing Officer Hong Kong Ballet Tel: 2105 9757 chloe_kwung@hkballet.com |