Hong Kong Ballet Opens 2016/17 Season
with Timeless Masterpiece Swan Lake 

Performances at Yuen Long Theatre and Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Proudly Sponsored by China Everbright Ltd

[Hong Kong – 28 June 2016] Hong Kong Ballet will open its 2016/17 Season on 19 August 2016 with a revival of the romantic classic Swan Lake, especially staged for Hong Kong Ballet by John Meehan based on Petipa/Ivanov’s original choreography and set to Tchaikovsky’s hauntingly beautiful score, with China Everbright Ltd. as its title sponsor.

Actively bringing the joy of ballet to audiences across the city, Hong Kong Ballet will present this beautiful production of Swan Lake at Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre (19 to 21 August) and Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre (26 to 28 August). The four performances at the former will be staged to recorded music while the five performances at the latter will be accompanied by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of conductor Benjamin Pope. Special appearance by Hong Kong Ballet's Guest Principal Dancer Jurgita Dronina (Principal Dancer of The National Ballet of Canada) in the dual roles of Odette and Odile will grace the Hong Kong Cultural Centre stage on 27 and 28 August (7:30pm). Tickets for Yuen Long Theatre and Hong Kong Cultural Centre are priced respectively at $300, $200, $100 and $680, $480, $280, $140 with VIP tickets at $1,000. Tickets are available at URBTIX now.

Artistic Director Madeleine Onne stated, “I am delighted to open the 2016/17 season with our version of Swan Lake. Swan Lake is often called the ‘ballet of all ballets’ and is a beloved masterpiece that is perfect for both new and seasoned fans. I believe this is the best choice to bring the joy and excitement of ballet as we begin another exciting ballet season!”

Swan Lake is one of the most complex theatrical productions in the Company's active repertory with its drama, romance and intrigue. Swan Lake inspires awe for its mystery and magic with exquisite swan-maiden ensembles and lyrical pas de deux. The focus is on the prima ballerina who performs the dual roles of the radiant White Swan Odette and the scheming, duplicitous Black Swan Odile, which require extreme athleticism, vigor and grace. Filled with technically demanding choreography, Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous music, and lavish sets and costumes by Peter Farmer, Swan Lake’s thrilling story of good and evil has entranced audiences since its début.

About Swan Lake
The story focuses on the beautiful Odette, who has been cursed by the evil Von Rothbart and can only take on human form at night; the curse can only be broken by a vow of true love. The handsome young Prince is enthralled by Odette, and they fall in love. At the Ball, Von Rothbart arrives with Odile, whom he has enchanted to look exactly like Odette. This tricks the Prince into believing that Odile is Odette, and he unintentionally vows to marry Odile the Black Swan. Broken-hearted, the White Swan Odette is reunited with the Prince by the lake for one last dance, sealing their eternal love and breaking Von Rothbart’s spell.

Original Choreography Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Additional Choreography John Meehan, Carlo Pacis, Selina Chau
Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design Peter Farmer
Additional Costume Design Harvey Santos
Lighting Design Leo Cheung
Live Accompaniment Hong Kong Sinfonietta#
Conductor Benjamin Pope#
# Only for performances at Hong Kong Cultural Centre

About Jurgita Dronina
Guest Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet
Principal Dancer of The National Ballet of Canada

Born in Saratov, Russia, Jurgita Dronina graduated from the ballet school at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art in Vilnius, Lithuania and continued her study at the Munich International Ballet Academy in Germany under the directorship of Konstanze Vernon. She was a Principal Dancer with Royal Swedish Ballet and Dutch National Ballet before joining The National Ballet of Canada as Principal Dancer in 2015. Dronina joined Hong Kong Ballet as Guest Principal Dancer in 2015.

Among many other prominent roles, Dronina has danced Nykia in La Bayadère (Makarova, Asylmuratova), Kitri in Don Quixote (Ratmansky, Garofoli), Medora in Le Corsaire (Fadeyechev), Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty (Wright, Chalmer), Odette/Odile in Swan Lake (Conus, Holmes, Martins, van Dantzig, Bart, Petipa/Ivanov, Sergeyev/Kovaliova/Kunakova), Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (MacMillan, van Dantzig), as well as the title role in Giselle(Vinogradov, Beaujean/Bustamante after Co-ralli/Perrot, Wright), Cinderella (Wheeldon), Paquita (Petipa) and Sylvia (Neumeier). She has also danced Hermoine in Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale, Ratmansky’s On The Dnieper and Firebird, as well as Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Serenade, Symphony in C and Jewels.

Roles that have been created especially for Dronina include Queen Sofia Magdalena in Bart’s Gustav III , Arque’s Minos, Christe’s Moving Glass, Cherkaoui’s Labyrinth, Dawson’s day4 and Overture, Elo’s Shapes, van Manen’s Dances with Harp and Pastor’s The Tempest.

She has also performed as a guest principal artist with the Norwegian National Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, Opera dell Roma, Teatro San Carlo, Arena di Verona and at Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Festival in Russia.

Dronina has been awarded the gold prize at the International Ballet Competition in Grasse in 2003 and silver prizes at the International Ballet Competitions in Helsinki in 2005, Moscow in 2005 and Jackson in 2006.

Dronina has been the recipient of many awards. Highlights include the Dutch Zwaan Award in 2011 and the Alexandra Radius Prize in 2014 for her Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. The European Dance Magazine Dance Europe voted her as Outstanding Dancer of the season for four seasons (2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2014/15).

Performance Details
19-21.8.2016
Fri 7:30pm | Sat 2:30pm & 7:30pm | Sun 2:30pm
Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
$300, $200, $100
Four performances with recorded music

26-28.8.2016
Fri 7:30pm | Sat & Sun 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
$1,000 (VIP tickets) $680, $480, $280, $140
Five performances with live accompaniment

Guest Appearance
Jurgita Dronina (Guest Principal Dancer, Hong Kong Ballet/Principal Dancer, The National Ballet of Canada)
27 & 28.8.2016 7:30pm

Ticketing Enquiries: 3761 6661
Credit Card Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk
Programme Enquiries: 2105 9724

Suitable for ages 6 and above
The presenter reserves the right to alter the programme and artists
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including two intermissions

Discounts

Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discounts for each purchase.
Discounts are not applicable to $1,000 VIP tickets.

$1,000 VIP Ticket Holders Special Privilege
Present your ticket stub to Hong Kong Ballet’s reception counter (Level 2 Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre) before the end of intermission to receive a coupon for a free drink. Each ticket stub is valid for one free drink only.

15% off food and beverage at InterContinental Hong Kong
Ticket holders can enjoy 15% off food and beverage in all restaurants and bars at InterContinental Hong Kong before or after the performance upon presentation of their tickets on the performance date. For details, please call 2313 2323 or email to [email protected].

Programme Plus! at Yuen Long Theatre

Season Opening: Ballet Masquerade 
Mask Design Competition – Public Exhibition
6-21.8.2016  9:00am-10:00pm
Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre
Details: hkballet.com/maskcompetition2016

Pre-curtain Talk
20.8.2016  Sat 2:15pm
Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
Join the Company’s artistic team to learn more about this Swan Lake production. Guests can meet some of the main characters in their original Swan Lake costumes and hear firsthand about their role in the story. It will be a wonderful way to start your theatre experience and whet your appetite for the magical performance to come! 

Free admission with Swan Lake ticket for 20.8.2016 2:30pm performance only
Conducted in English with Cantonese translation 

Family Fun Workshop
20.8.2016  Sat  6:45pm-7:15pm
Exhibition Corner, Yuen Long Theatre

Join us for an afternoon of adventure and discovery as we explore Swan Lake through storytelling, ballet mime and learning ballet movement used in the performances! This engaging, hands-on event promises fun for the entire family and will give everyone a better understanding and appreciation of the timeless masterpiece Swan Lake.

Free admission

Programme Plus! at Hong Kong Cultural Centre

The Preview of Swan Lake
16.8.2016  Tue 7:30pm – 8:45pm
Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Come learn more about the history, music, and characters of Swan Lake. Considered to be one of the masterpieces of classical ballets, Swan Lake is filled with technical and dramatic challenges as well as gorgeous choreography and music. During the evening, you will be treated to selected excerpts from the production by Hong Kong Ballet dancers. Both informative and enjoyable, this preview is a perfect way to begin your memorable theatre experience!

Free admission 
Conducted in English
Suitable for ages 6 and above
Limited capacity, advance registration required   
Registration Details: hkballet.com/preview

Pre-performance Talks
26.8.2016  Fri  6:50pm – 7:10pm [Conducted in Cantonese]
27.8.2016  Sat  1:50pm – 2:10pm [Conducted in English]
Level 2 Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Gain valuable insight into the production from the talented team working behind the scenes of Swan Lake! These informative talks feature artists and the members from the Company in conversation about the production. Whether you’re new to ballet or simply interested in hearing how music and movement come together, don’t miss out on this fascinating talk before the show to enhance your theatre experience!

Free admission with wan Lake ticket for Hong Kong Cultural Centre performances 

Pre-performance Workshop
27.8.2016  Sat 10:30am-11:30am
GR3, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre 
Fee: $80 each* | Quota: 40*10% discount for Friends of Hong Kong Ballet

Children ages 6-10 will love this up-close-and-personal encounter with Swan Lake through crafts, acting, story-telling, costume display and learning some of the ballet movement from the production! Discover the intricate details of the main characters’ shimmering costumes and examine the props used onstage during the performance. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Conducted in Cantonese and English Only for Swan Lake ticket holders or Friends of Hong Kong Ballet
Advance registration required
Registration Details: hkballet.com/workshop

Champagne Partner	Make-Up Partner

DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS 

[Click on the photo to download full image] 

Photo 1: Swan Lake promotional image | Dancer: Yu-yao Liu | Photographer: Tim Wong

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Photo 2: Swan Lake promotional image | Dancer: Yu-yao Liu | Photographer: Tim Wong

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Photo 3: Swan Lake | Dancers: Jia-bo Li and Si-yuen Zhang | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco

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Photo 4: Swan Lake | Dancer: Si-yuen Zhang | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco

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Photo 5: Swan Lake | Dancers: Si-yuen Zhang and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Benjamin Leung

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Photo 6: Jurgita Dronina, Guest Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet and Principal Dancer of The National Ballet of Canada | Photographer: A. Antonijevic

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About Hong Kong Ballet

An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a uniquerepertoire are the trademarks of Hong Kong Ballet, Asia’s premier ballet company.Internationally recognised and acclaimed for its creativity, talent and artistry, the Company,led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, is committed to providing captivating experiencesthat delight and inspire audiences from all walks of life, both at home and abroad. 

For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: 2105 9716
M: 9728 1777
[email protected]