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Art-loving Torontonians will have a unique opportunity to experience the stunning visual and audio effects of a cross-cultural ballet production from Hong Kong on Friday (May 7, Toronto time) when the Hong Kong Ballet presents its North America premiere of Legend of the Great Archer to a full house at the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts in downtown Toronto.

The two-hour full-length ballet repertoire is the first in the world to be accompanied by Chinese music created by award-winning composer Kuan Nai-chung, and played by the world-renowned Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. By introducing multi-media visual effects including a two-minute film and laser presentation, the production promises to bring a new language to the ballet culture.

The 80-member Hong Kong Ballet, which arrived in Toronto yesterday, embarks on their North America tour this week to spread the "Relaunch Hong Kong" message. The group will next visit Vancouver, San Jose and Washington DC as Hong Kong's Goodwill Ambassadors.

Addressing the media at a press briefing today (May 5, Toronto time), Hong Kong Ballet's Chief Executive Officer, Ms Helen Ng, said: "We are feeling very excited about the North America Premiere of Legend of the Great Archer through which we want to show our Canadian friends Hong Kong's cultural vibrancy and the unique ballet culture that Hong Kong has developed by blending the very best of the East and the West."

She said the new ballet repertoire represented a whole new language in ballet in the sense that it gracefully combined a Chinese theme folk tale with the traditionally western dance interpretation, resulting in a powerful neo-classical ballet.

"By bringing this ballet to North America, we hope to further promote Hong Kong and its national ballet company to our overseas friends. Using dancing as a medium, we hope to impress them with Hong Kong's unique heritage and culture. We are delighted to know that the performance has proved to be such a great hit that tickets were sold out well in advance," Ms Ng said.

"The fact that the North America Premiere is presented in support of the Renaissance ROM's China Initiative has brought special meanings I hope our presence here will help enhance the already close ties between Hong Kong and Canada."

Also present at the media briefing were Hong Kong Ballet's Artistic Director, Mr Stephen Jefferies and his principal dancers as well as the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada), Mr Bassanio So.

Stephen Jefferies, a world-renowned artistic director who created the original ballet of Legend of the Great Archer that reflects Hong Kong's distinctive international identity, had reworked a number of Chinese classics in past years, introducing such signature pieces as The Last Emperor, The White Snake and Mu Lan to international audience. He was voted one of the top 20 Artistic Directors in the world by Dance Europe Magazine in February, 2004.

As Hong Kong's contribution to Canadian culture, the Hong Kong Ballet's North America premiere is organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) and jointly presented with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in support of Renaissance ROM's China Initiatives.

The ballet performance has received very strong support from sponsors in Hong Kong and in Canada.

These sponsors include the special sponsors and supporters from Hong Kong: J P Morgan, OOCL, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Information Services Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; the Exclusive Travel Sponsors: Air Canada and Tour East Holidays; the Toronto Presenting Sponsor: Trillion Financial Group; Gala Dinner Sponsor: JNE Consulting Ltd; Platinum Sponsors: Shiu Pong Group of Companies and Toronto Cathay Lions Club; Gold Sponsors: HSBC Canada and Pricewater House Coopers; and Silver Sponsor: Royal Bank of Canada.

The event's promotion sponsor is Cathay Pacific Airways while the Premium Media Sponsors are Fairchild Media Group, Fairchild TV, Fairchild Radio and TelentVision. Ming Pao and World Journal are supporting the event as Media Sponsors.

For more information about the Hong Kong Ballet's North America Premiere of Legend of the Great Archer, please visit the HKETO website at: www.hketo.ca.

Ends/Thursday, May 6, 2004

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