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To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the premiere of the renowned dance piece "The Rite of Spring", the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present "The 100 Years of 'The Rite of Spring' Appreciation Series" in November and December.
The premiere of "The Rite of Spring" by Sergei Diaghilev's Les Ballet Russes at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on May 29, 1913, totally redefined the audience's perception of ballet as an artistic expression of harmony and elegance. With Vaslav Nijinsky as the choreographer and Igor Stravinsky as the composer, the controversial ballet challenged the audience's aesthetic senses with its stiff dance movements and strident music. Some among the audience were so disturbed that a riot broke out in the theatre during the premiere.
The avant-garde and innovative style of "The Rite of Spring" inspired a later generation of choreographers. Numerous dance artists, including such prominent names as Martha Graham, Pina Bausch, Kenneth MacMillan, Paul Taylor and Lin Hwai-min, have made their own interpretations.
The programme series includes video screenings, talks, a forum and an exhibition. Details are as follows:
"The Rite of Spring" by Mariinsky Ballet Video Screening and Talk (talk to be conducted in Cantonese)
November 1 (Friday), 8pm
Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum
Speakers: Stella Lau and Shirley Loong
"The Rite of Spring" by Tanztheater Wuppertal Video Screening and Talk (talk to be conducted in Cantonese)
November 15 (Friday), 8pm
Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum
Speakers: Mui Cheuk-yin and Dr Lo Wai-luk
"Music Forum - Unravelling The Rite" (conducted in Cantonese)
November 28 (Thursday), 8pm
Miller Theater, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
(9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong)
Moderator/Speaker: Dr Chan Hing-yan
Speaker: Lio Kuokman
"The Rite of Spring Exhibition"
November 27 to December 9: Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
December 10 to 15: Exhibition Gallery, Sha Tin Town Hall
Admission is free for all activities. Registration is required for all activities except "The Rite of Spring Exhibition". Quotas are limited and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For enquiries and registration, please call 2268 7223 or visit the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/group_34.html.
Ends/Friday, November 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:05
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