Cast Announced for

Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels

[Hong Kong—12 May 2021] Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) announces the casting of Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels. With its debut of this modern masterpiece, HKB will showcase its shining artistry and mastery of a variety of ballet styles.

Cast list for lead roles:

During a chance visit to iconic High Jewelry Maison Van Cleef & Arpels on Fifth Avenue in New York, Balanchine made the acquaintance of Claude Arpels. Together, they shared a passion for gems that blossomed into an artistic bond that eventually produced Jewels. Today, Balanchine's time-tested, glittering gem has become one of the most renowned works of the 20^th century since its premiere in 1967. This programme is part of French May Arts Festival 2021.

With City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong’s live accompaniment of music from three iconic composers, the three acts Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds celebrate the beauty and glamour of precious gemstones and honour the distinctive French, American and Russian balletic styles.

International ballet star Daniel Camargo, former Principal Dancer at Dutch National Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, will join HKB dancers in Emeralds during the 22 May matinee and 23 May evening performances and in Diamonds for the 21-22 May evening performances. Guest pianist Rachel Cheung will perform the jazz-infused score featured in Rubies.

The production will have five performances during 21–23 May at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ Lyric Theatre. Tickets priced at $1000, $680 and $480 have sold out. Only limited tickets priced at $280 and $140 are currently available and selling fast at HK Ticketing. Sit higher to take in the entire stage and enjoy the dancers’ beautiful, dynamically changing gemlike formations. Act soon before it’s too late!

Download Appendix (Synopsis, Creative Team, Guest Artists, Performance Details, Joint Promotional Offers, Fringe Activities and High Res Images)

For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan | Director of Marketing | T: 21059716 / 97281777 | [email protected]
Nichol Chau | Senior Marketing Officer | T: 21059753 / 56321755 | [email protected]

Title Sponsor

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About Hong Kong Ballet

One of Asia’s premier ballet companies, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is internationally recognised as a vibrant arts institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character. Established in 1979 and led by Artistic Director Septime Webre, HKB has a dynamic repertoire performed by nearly 50 dancers from all over the globe and award-winning education and community programmes.

With almost 50 international tours, HKB has won recognition from critics and fans both at home and abroad. Its diverse repertoire includes classic and modern masterpieces, original full-length ballets created for HKB, an interactive ballet series for younger fans and groundbreaking dance by today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Trey McIntyre, among others.

HKB maintains an active schedule of community initiatives throughout Hong Kong to ensure that ballet is accessible to people from all walks of life.

About Van Cleef & Arpels

Founded at Paris’ 22 Place Vendôme in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels came into being following Estelle Arpels’ marriage to Alfred Van Cleef in 1895. Over the decades, the excellence and creativity of the High Jewelry Maison established its reputation across the world. With a blend of inventiveness and poetry, Van Cleef & Arpels perpetuates a highly distinctive style that has produced numerous signatures: the Mystery Set technique, the Minaudière precious case, the transformable Zip necklace and the Alhambra motif. Its selection of Pierres de Caractère, exceptional gems that instill an emotion, and the savoir-faire of its Mains d’Or, the virtuoso craftsmen of the workshops, have given birth to enchanting jewelry and watchmaking collections. Whether inspired by nature, couture, dance or imaginary worlds, the Maison opens the gate to a timeless universe of beauty and harmony.

Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Photography: SWKit
Photo 1: Dancers (from left): Chen Zhiyao, Yang Ruiqi, Venus Villa
Photo 2: Dancers (from left): Venus Villa, Leung Chunlong, Li Jiabo, Chen Zhiyao, Henry Seldon, Yang Ruiqi