| Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: Giselle - a heartrending tale of love, betrayal and the sup / Giselle - a heartrending tale of love, betrayal and the sup |
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PRESS RELEASE - IMMEDIATE 25/9/2008 Enquiries: Marketing Dept:2105 9724 / [email protected]
The Hong Kong Ballet presents the most Romantic of all Ballets, Giselle
A heartrending tale of love, betrayal and the supernatural
Box Office Opens this Saturday
[Hong Kong - 25 September 2008] The Hong Kong Ballet will perform the most Romantic of all ballets, Giselle, this November at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Tickets will open for public sale at all Hong Kong Ticketing outlets this Saturday.
World premièred in Paris in 1841, this jewel in the crown of Classical ballet represents the height of the Romantic Movement that swept Europe in the early 19th century. It was originally choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, however, the choreography for nearly all modern productions derives from the work of renowned Russian ballet master Marius Petipa from 1884 to 1903. This production of Giselle will be staged by Artistic Director John Meehan and Senior Ballet Mistress Lin Mei-fang, based on the traditional Petipa version.
A full-length work in two contrasting acts, Giselle is in many ways the most perfect work in the whole repertoire of ballet history. Artistic Director John Meehan says: "The first act is driven by the plot and the second act, or the white act, is the resolution of the drama of the previous act. It is filled with evocative choreography containing wonderful romantic images, with [the corps de ballet's] hops in arabesque across the stage an iconic moment in ballet choreography. The title roles are cornerstones of any principal dancer's repertoire. They require skill not only as a dancer, but also as an actor."
Giselle is the story of an innocent, kindhearted peasant girl who has a weak heart. She falls in love with a handsome young villager but soon discovers that he has deceived her - he is in fact Count Albrecht who has a fiancée. The news unhinges her and leads to her tragic death. In Act 2, at Giselle's grave, the Wilis (spirits of abandoned engaged girls who rise from the dead to prey on the men who had wronged them) condemn Albrecht to dance until he dies. Giselle tries to sustain him until daybreak. The spell is broken and Giselle and the Wilis fade away, leaving Albrecht alone and sorrowful.
Part of Giselle's fame is also due to the music by the French composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856), a key figure in the 19th-century French Romantic movement. Adam's sumptuous score was innovative in being the first to use all-original music. It also uses recurring musical motifs (themes representing particular characters or emotions) to drive the narrative.
Giselle will be performed at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 28 to 30 November 2008 (8pm on Fri, Sat & Sun / 3pm on Sat and Sun). Prices range from HK $80 to $600 (VIP Tickets at HK$1000 available on Fri and Sat evenings). Tickets are available at all Hong Kong Ticketing outlets from 27 September (Tel. 3128 8288 / www.hkticketing.com). A range of fringe activities will be held for ticket-holders of Giselle, including a lecture-demonstration on 4 November and pre-performance talks on 29 and 30 November. For registration and enquiries, call 2105 9724 or email [email protected]. Full details can be found on www.hkballet.com.
Programme details
28-29.11.2008 (Fri & Sat) 8:00pm
$1000(VIP), 600, 400, 260, 140, 100
29-30.11.2008 (Sat & Sun) 3:00pm; 30.11 (Sun) 8pm
$480, 320, 220, 110, 120, 80
Lyric Theatre,
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Tickets available at all HK Ticketing Outlets from 27 September 2008
Ticket Purchase Hotline
31 288 288 / www.hkticketing.com
Programme Enquiries
2105 9724 / [email protected]
For ages 6 or above
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
PR and Marketing Manager
Hong Kong Ballet
Tel. 2105 9742
[email protected] Caroline Cheung
Assistant Marketing Manager
Hong Kong Ballet
Tel: 2105 9722
[email protected]
Irene So
Assistant Marketing Manager
Hong Kong Ballet
Tel: 2105 9723
[email protected]
Photos
Click to enlarge
Giselle
Hong Kong Ballet Dancers
Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco Giselle
Dancer (middle):Chantel Elizabeth
Roulston
Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Giselle
Dancer (right):Faye Leung
Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco Giselle
Dancers: Jin Yao, Zhang Yao
Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
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