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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Regional Council:

The Kirov Ballet (Russia), a performing group described by the media as the world's greatest classical ballet company, will present its Hong Kong debut on the prominent classical ballet: "the Swan Lake".

Presented by the Provisional Regional Council (Pro RC) as one of the highlights of Regional Council Festival 98 (RegCo '98), the performance will be held at 7.30 pm from December 8 to 12 (Tuesday to Saturday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall.

The Kirov Ballet signifies the Russian ballet school's tradition of excellence for over 200 years in its elegant, graceful and theatrical performance. Along its history, there have emerged a host of legendary superstars, including Vatzlav Nijinsky, Anna Pavlova, Galina Ulanova, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova.

The globally acclaimed classical ballet was in fact created on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in which the Kirov Ballet was originally installed. Based on the version performed by the Moscow Theatre, Petipa and Ivanov, jointly choreographed in 1895 a new version of the Swan Lake in four acts which passed down until today. The new version was premiered by the Kirov Ballet, the then St. Petersburg Ballet Company.

Interpreted in different hands for over a century, the Kirov Ballet's Swan Lake maintains the original style and spirit of the 19th century's classical ballet and demonstrates a perfect concord of the supreme standard of its principal dancers like Altynai Asylmuratova, Yulia Makhalina and Ultiana Lopatkina as well as the stylistic uniformity of its corps de ballet.

There will be live orchestral accompaniment by members of Kirov Orchestra and Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

In addition, a lecture in Cantonese "The Training of Classical Ballet and Personal Development" will be held by popular ballet educationist, Jean M Wong, at 6.30 pm on December 8 (Tuesday) at the Cultural Activities Hall of Sha Tin Town Hall. Admission is free with priority to ticket holders of the performance.

Tickets of the performance are priced at $160, $240, $320 and $400. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities holding concessionary card on a first-come-first-served basis. Friends of Pro RC Town Halls may enjoy a 15 per cent discount upon presentation of discount coupons.

For telephone reservation, please call 2734 9009. For enquiries, please call 2694 2536.

End/Friday, November 6, 1998

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