【Hong Kong – 30 June 2009】The Hong Kong Ballet, under the leadership of new Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, will open the new Season with a wonderful story of dreams-come-true, Cinderella. This popular full-length ballet will be staged at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 21 to 23 August, and accompanied live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of James Tuggle.
Cinderella is a classic folk tale with thousands of variants known throughout the world. Its popularity is not only attributed to the romantic love story; more importantly, it conveys a meaningful message that beauty is a treasure, but graciousness is priceless.
The Hong Kong Ballet's Cinderella is choreographed by David Allan to the dramatic and melodious music of Sergei Prokofiev, with magnificent sets and costumes designed by Peter Cazalet.
"Many choreographers from all over the world have been inspired by this story and there are quite a lot of different versions – from super modern to super classic," said Artistic Director Madeleine Onne. "The Hong Kong Ballet has a "traditional" version in its repertoire by the American choreographer David Allan, who has created a wonderful visual fairytale that gives us everything we are expecting."
David Allan was praised by Anna Kisselgoff of New York Times as "a major talent who knows how to make a beautiful ballet".
"Unlike most of the full-length classical ballets that form a part of the classical canon, there is no definitive version of Cinderella... What I wish to express above all with the choreography of Cinderella is the poetic love of Cinderella and the Prince, the birth and blossoming of that love, the obstacles in its path and finally, the dream fulfilled," said choreographer David Allan.
Set and costume designer Peter Cazalet's commissions include ballets, operas, plays and musicals; his outstanding achievement has been recognized by several prominent awards.
James Tuggle is Music Director of the internationally acclaimed Stuttgart Ballet since 1997. He conducts an extensive repertoire comprising of all major symphonic and operatic works, and is especially renowned for his performances of late 19th century German repertoire music.
Principal Dancers of The Hong Kong Ballet, Jin Yao/Zhang Yao and Kyoko Tomimura/Huang Zhen will dance the lead roles of Cinderella and the Prince. Faye Leung will appear as Guest Principal Dancer in two performances with Principal Dancer Nobuo Fujino.
This much loved story captures the romance of Cinderella and the Prince, the magic of the glass slipper, the hilarious antics of the Ugly Sisters and the glittering elegance of the Ball. While the beautiful pas de deux for the Prince and Cinderella is at the heart of the ballet, more light-hearted scenes feature children dancers playing the roles of chipmunks and foxes. The wonderful choreography of Cinderella appeals to both adults and children alike.
Cinderella will run from Friday to Sunday, 21 to 23 August (21-23.8/7:30pm; 22-23.8 /2:30pm) at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Prices range from HK$120 to HK$600 (HK$1000 VIP ticket). Tickets are available at all URBTIX outlets from 1 July (Tel. 2734 9009/ www.urbtix.hk).
A range of fringe activities will be held to enhance audience's appreciation for this beautiful ballet, including a lecture demonstration on 4 August, pre-performance talk on 21 August and two pre-performance workshops especially for children on 22 and 23 August. For registration and enquiries, please call 2105 9724 or email to marketing@hkballet.com.
Programme Details
21-22.8.2009 (7:30pm)
$1000 (VIP tickets), $600, $400, $260, $140
22-23.8.2009 (2:30pm) &
23.8.2009 (7:30pm)
$580, $480, $320, $220, $120
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Performance duration: about 2 hours 15 minutes
*For ages 3 and above
Tickets available at all URBTIX outlets from 1 July onwards
Reservation: 2734 9009
Credit card booking: 2111 5999
Internet booking: www.urbtix.hk
Enquiries: 2105 9724 / marketing@hkballet.com
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. In May 2009, Madeleine Onne, previously Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Ballet, took up the helm at The Hong Kong Ballet as Artistic Director.
Our 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 |
