Artistic Director Madeleine Onne
takes her Final Bow at Hong Kong Ballet
[Hong Kong – 2 June 2017] Hong Kong Ballet’s season finale production of Carmen and More joyfully celebrated the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s 20th anniversary and was enthusiastically received by audiences.
The eclectic mixed bill saw the world première of resident choreographers Yuh Egami and Ricky Song-wei Hu’s original Carmen, centred around a passionate, free-spirited woman swept up in a fatal love triangle against the backdrop of a fabric factory, and the Company’s premières of two riveting Jirí Kylián’s works - the erotic Petite Mort fusing classical and modern movements and the comical Sechs Tanze, inspired by Mozart’s humour and musical brilliance. The show commenced with Jorma Elo’s radiant Shape of Glow, which energized the audience with its celebratory dancing to Mozart and Beethoven’s timeless music. Senior Ballet Master and former Company Principal Dancer Jing Liang made his triumphant return to the stage in Carmen, as he poignantly embodied the role of José to much critical acclaim.
The evening performance on 27 May was an especially emotional occasion for Hong Kong Ballet. In addition to the memorable dance works, there was a poignant tribute to the Company’s outgoing Artistic Director, Madeleine Onne, after the close of the final piece, Jiří Kylian's Sechs Tanze. Over 1,000 audience members raptly watched a special tribute video featuring heartfelt messages to Ms Onne from the dancers, Artistic Team and Chair of Hong Kong Ballet, Ms Daisy Ho, and footage of the inspiring ballets that Ms Onne has brought to the Company during her tenure. Everyone gave Ms Onne a standing ovation during her farewell speech, which brought tears to many eyes both on and off stage. Flowers were thrown, kisses planted and well-wishes exchanged. The touching evening concluded with Ms Onne in the well-deserved spotlight for the last time in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the Company’s impressive growth over the last eight years.
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Photo 1: Artistic Director Madeleine Onne
Photo 2: (From left): Members of Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet Ms Linda Fung, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng and Mrs Daphne King Yao; Artistic Director Madeleine Onne; Vice-Chairman of Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet Mrs Mira Yeh; Secretary of Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet Mrs Janice Chan-Choy and Member of Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet Mr Arthur Minshiang Wang
Photo 3: Group photo of Madeleine Onne, Hong Kong Ballet Dancers, Board of Governors and staff of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 4: Shape of Glow | Dancers (from left): Shunsuke Arimizu, Jonathan Spigner, Lin Li, Luis Cabrera, Jia-bo Li | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Photo 5: Carmen | Dancers: Fei-fei Ye and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Photo 6: Carmen | Senior Ballet Master Jing Liang and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Photo 7: Petite Mort | Dancers: Zhi-yao Chen, Jia-bo Li | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Photo 8: Sechs Tänze | Dancers (from left): Jun, Xia, Natalie Ogonek, Luis Cabrera | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco
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About Hong Kong Ballet
An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a unique repertoire are the trademarks of Hong Kong Ballet, Asia’s premier ballet company. Internationally recognised and acclaimed for its creativity, talent and artistry, the Company is committed to providing captivating experiences that delight and inspire audiences from all walks of life, both at home and abroad.
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