Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
Ballet Nacional de España to perform in Hong Kong in October
**********************************************************

     The internationally renowned Ballet Nacional de España (Spanish National Ballet) will revisit Hong Kong in October for thrilling performances of the dance company's most remarkable repertoire - "Farruca", "Bolero" and "Medea".

     Sombre and elegant in its trunk and arm movements, "Farruca" saves its most exquisite flourishes for the footwork in the zapateado. The piece for three flamenco dancers is a perfect example of how flamenco choreographed for an ensemble must be performed, with respect for the group dance yet at the same time allowing each dancer to express his or her unique personality. Over the years this work has been performed by several of the leading dancers of the ballet.

     Translating Maurice Ravel's haunting melodies into visual form has provided a challenge for many choreographers. "Bolero" is the result of a commission from a ballerina, Ida Rubinstein. The first performance took place in the Paris Opera in 1928. For the occasion, Bronislava Nijinska created a ballet in which Rubinstein, surrounded by two dozen enraptured men, interpreted a solo on the table of a Spanish inn. Many choreographies have been created for "Bolero", including this version by José Granero, which was first performed in "Homage to Ravel" at the Grand Theatre of Bordeaux in 1987.

     Few choreographies have managed to display such high-quality dance in the precise portrayal of Seneca's myth of "Medea". Manolo Sanlúcar's music complements José Granero's choreographic genius: Medea's long arms twist and twine as she prepares her spell and recreates her destructive passion for Jason. This great Spanish ballet is among the masterpieces of the recent decades, and uses flamenco's deep expression of feeling to make a timeless story of universal theatre all the more startling.

     Founded in 1978, the Ballet Nacional de España is, among the projects of the National Institute for the Stage Arts and Music, one of the most well-known ambassadors of Spanish culture. It has been acclaimed by audiences and critics, and has won various awards. In 2010, the Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas La Unión gave the ballet company the "Stage Arts Extraordinary Prize" for its magnificent contribution to the preservation and performance of the best flamenco works.

     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the performances by the Ballet Nacional de España will take place at 7.30pm on October 3 and 4 (Thursday and Friday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall, and at 5pm on October 6 (Sunday) at the Auditorium of Yuen Long Theatre. Tickets ranging from $160 to $400 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the group booking package.

     For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/program_297.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.

Ends/Thursday, August 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:39

NNNN

Print this page