*******************************************************
The Hong Kong Sinfonietta will present Igor Stravinsky's masterpiece "A Soldier's Story" in a dazzling crossover production that will bring down the curtain on Hong Kong Week for Expo 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo).
Apart from being the closing programme for Hong Kong Week at Expo, the production will also be the closing performance of the Hong Kong Cultural Week of the 12th China Shanghai International Arts Festival.
The presentation will combine music, dance and drama and feature leading performing arts talents from around the region.
"'A Soldier's Story' is based on a Russian folk tale of a soldier trading his fiddle to the devil for a book of fortune," said Hong Kong Sinfonietta Music Director, Ms Yip Wing-sie.
"In addition to its intricate counter point and rhythmically variable work, 'A Soldier's Story' is also a moral tale of greed and punishment."
The orchestra performed its debut of "A Soldier's Story" in 2005, receiving critical acclaim for the interpretation of this 20th Century masterpiece. It also won a Hong Kong Dance Award in 2008.
The production for Shanghai Expo features an unprecedented collaboration of Asia's top artistic talent in performing arts.
They include Music Director Yip Wing-sie, Choreographer Yuri Ng, Narrator Chu Pak-him, renowned dancers Huang Lei, Shirai Tsuyoshi, Jay Jen Loo and Abby Chan and award-winning Lighting Designer Billy Chan.
Narrated in Putonghua, "A Soldier's Story" will be presented on October 22 in the Oriental Concert Hall, Shanghai Oriental Art Center.
To complete the programme, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta will also perform two other master works by Stravinsky chosen for the context, "Three Pieces for Clarinet" featuring Principal Clarinet Johnny Fong and "Jeu de Cartes".
For full programme details and ticketing information, please visit the Event Calendar section on Hong Kong's Expo website at www.hkexpo2010.gov.hk.
"A Soldier's Story"
Date: October 22, 2010
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Oriental Concert Hall, Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Length: Approx 2 hours
Narration in Putonghua
Ticket price: RMB 580(VIP), 380, 280, 180, 100
Online Booking: www.festivalclub.org
Programme enquiries:
Hong Kong Sinfonietta (852) 2836 3336
The Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival
(86 21) 6272 0440
Ends/Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:05
NNNN
