The Rule Breakers

Get ready for an electrifying evening of contemporary works

by some of ballet’s most creative dance makers!

The highly-anticipated Hong Kong premiere of William Forsythe's ground-breaking work, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, is set to a driving electronic score by Thom Willems. With this powerful work created for Paris Opera Ballet in 1997, Forsythe made ballet fresh again by taking a fierce urban approach to classical lines and choreography. He boldly opened up new possibilities for choreographers by turning ballet on its head while simultaneously paying homage to its revered classical sensibilities.

Following in his footsteps is European sensation Andonis Foniadakis, who uses ballet to creatively express modernity and all its layers. Hong Kong audiences will experience Foniadakis' thrilling world premiere ballet inspired by the songs of the charttopping '80s pop pioneers Depeche Mode. With death-defying lifts and emotional choreography brimming with energy and passion, Foniadakis' new work promises to be unforgettable.

Rounding out this powerful programme is Hu Song Wei Ricky's ravishing The Last Song. Inspired by J.S. Bach's inventive music and Oscar Wilde's tale of love and sacrifice The Nightingale and the Rose, Hu created the critically-acclaimed The Last Song, which has been called 'hauntingly emotive' and features sumptuous solos by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Jing Wang and Principal Cello Richard Bamping.

Programmes

In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated (Hong Kong Premiere)

William Forsythe

Choreography

An active choreographer for over 45 years, William Forsythe is renowned for redefining ballet in the 21^st century. His interest in fundamental principles of organisation led him to produce numerous projects, including installations, films and web-based knowledge creations.

Appointed Resident Choreographer in 1976 and Director of the Ballet Frankfurt during 1984 - 2004, Forsythe then founded and directed The Forsythe Company until 2015. His earlier works have been danced by every major ballet company worldwide. More recently, Forsythe created original works for the Paris Opera Ballet, English National Ballet and Boston Ballet and the internationally acclaimed A Quiet Evening of Dance by Sadler’s Wells Theatre (London).

©Julian Gabriel Richter

NEW WORK (World Premiere)

Andonis Foniadakis

Choreography

Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis has danced with Bejart Ballet and Lyon Opera Ballet. He has created works for dance companies like Martha Graham Dance Company, Rambert and Geneva Ballet, choreographed for operas and films and collaborated with Palais de Tokyo in Paris. He was Greek National Opera Ballet’s Artistic Director and is currently the Artistic Director of his own dance group Apotosoma. Accolades include Best Choreography by Italian magazine Danza&Danza and Greek Critics Union.

©Peter Greig