Hong Kong Ballet’s Swan Lake Proudly Returns in October

The Greatest Romantic Ballet of All Time

[Hong Kong – 2 September 2019] Following much success and acclaim for Septime Webre’s Peter Pan, Hong Kong Ballet’s 40^th anniversary season opener, John Meehan’s Swan Lake, another much-loved classic and the greatest romantic ballet of all time, is set to return to the stage in October.

Swan Lake is one of the most complex theatrical productions in Hong Kong Ballet's active repertoire with its drama, romance and intrigue. Originally choreographed by the legendary Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, Swan Lake is famously regarded as one of the most celebrated and enjoyed classical ballets worldwide. Not only is it technically challenging for even the greatest ballerinas to play the dual role of the pure White Swan Odette and the deceitful Black Swan Odile, but complex elements like Prince Siegfried and Odette’s love affair, evil sorcerer Von Rothbart’s malice and Odette’s ultimate forgiveness demand stellar acting skills as well as realistic portrayals through movement.

This highly anticipated production will once again prove that Hong Kong Ballet dancers are capable of capturing the emotions and cherishing the essence that translate ballet into an embodiment of elegance and grace, while performing with its own distinctive approach and constantly innovating.

Alongside Hong Kong Sinfonietta performing Tchaikovsky's masterpiece score under the baton of conductor Fayçal Karoui and featuring splendid sets and costumes by renowned British designer Peter Farmer, Swan Lake will transport the audience on an unforgettable journey from the moment the curtain rises. Additionally, Chun Wai Chan, Principal of Houston Ballet will join Company dancers in a special guest appearance during the 25 October evening and 27 October matinee performances; while Matthew Golding, Guest Principal Dancer of Ballett Dortmund and Former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet & Dutch National Ballet, will also perform during the 26 and 27 October evening performances.

All performances will take place at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre during 25 October – 3 November. Now available at URTIX, tickets are priced at $680, $480, $320 and $180, with VIP tickets at $1,000. Suitable for ages 6 and above.

About Swan Lake
The beautiful Odette, the White Swan, has been cursed by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart and can only take on human form at night, with the curse only broken by a vow of true love. The handsome young Prince becomes enthralled by Odette, and they fall in love. At a festive ball, Von Rothbart arrives with his daughter Odile, the Black Swan, whom he has deviously enchanted to look exactly like Odette. The Prince is deceived into believing that Odile is his beloved Odette, and he publicly vows to marry Odile. Heartbroken, Odette flees but is later reunited with the Prince by the lake for one final dance. Afterwards, they tragically end their lives by jumping into the lake together, thus sealing their eternal love and breaking Von Rothbart’s spell forever.

Creative Team

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 SantosLighting 
Design: Leo Cheung
Live Accompaniment: Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Conductor: Fayçal KarouiGuest 
Appearance: Chun Wai Chan and Matthew Golding

About Chun Wai Chan
Born in Guangdong, China, Chun Wai Chan trained at Guangzhou Art School and joined Houston Ballet in 2012, becoming Principal in 2017. He danced Prince Siegfried in Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake and lead roles in William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated and many other classical and contemporary repertoire by renowned choreographers. Chan has had many successes, including being featured in Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 (Dancers) to Watch” in 2016 and Pointe Magazine’s “The Standouts of 2017” and performing in the Ninjinsky-Gala XLI in Hamburg, Germany, New York’s 2015 Fall for Dance Festival and 2018 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, among others.

About Matthew Golding
Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Matthew Golding won the Youth America Grand Prix Ballet Competition and the Prix de Lausanne in 2002, then joined American Ballet Theatre in 2003. He was promoted to Principal Dancer of Dutch National Ballet in 2010, and danced as a Principal of The Royal Ballet during 2014-2017. He has guest performed with Bavarian State Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, The National Ballet of Canada, English National Ballet and more. His accolades include the Dutch Zwaan Award in 2010, the Alexandra Radius Prize in 2011 and nominations for the Prix Benois de la Danse in 2012.

Performance Details
25-27.10, 2-3.11.2019
Fri 7:30pm | Sat & Sun 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
$1,000 (VIP tickets) $680, $480, $320, $180 | * $340, $240, $160, $90
Nine performances with live accompaniment
 * Available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities and their caretakers
Tickets available at URBTIX now
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 and 30 minutes, including two intermissions

Discounts

Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discounts for each purchase.

$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 performance or during intermission to receive a coupon for a free drink. Each ticket stub is valid for one free drink only. 

15% off food and beverages at InterContinental Hong Kong
Ticket holders can enjoy 15% off food and beverages at all restaurants and bars at InterContinental Hong Kong before or after the performance upon presentation of their tickets on the performance date. Terms and conditions apply. 
Enquiries: 2313 2323 / [email protected]
Website: hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

HKB UPCLOSE

Swan Lake - Ballet 360°
15.10.2019 (Tue) 7:30pm – 8:30pm
GR2, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Want to learn more about the mesmerizing history, music and characters of one of classical ballet’s greatest masterpieces? Swan Lake is filled with technical and dramatic challenges as well as gorgeous choreography and music. Sit back and enjoy selected excerpts from the production by Hong Kong Ballet dancers. Both informative and enjoyable, Swan Lake - Ballet 360° is a perfect way to begin your evening at the theatre!

Conducted in English. Suitable for ages 6 and above. 
Limited capacity, advance registration required.
Free admission

"Ballet StoryTime" Art Workshop - Swan Lake
20.10.2019 (Sun) 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Children's Activity Room, 2/F, Hong Kong Central Library

Don’t miss our brand new “Ballet StoryTime” series kicking off this July at public libraries around the city! Based on Swan Lake, the talk allows you to experience ballet on a whole new level. Dive deeper into a ballet production with these interactive sessions exploring ballet pantomime, choreography, costumes and a day in the life of a dancer as well as learning some actual steps from a production from Hong Kong Ballet dancers!

Conducted in English
Seats are limited. First-come-first-served. Suitable for ages 3-12 with a parent. Free admission by reservation. Seat reservation starts from 20.9.2019 (Fri) and can be registered online via www.art-mate.net/

Swan Lake Pre-performance Workshop
GR3, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
26.10.2016 (Sat) 10:00am - 11:00am (age 7-11)；11:30am - 12:30pm (age 4-6)

Children ages 4-11 can get up close and personal during this Swan Lake workshop with acting, storytelling, costume displays and learning some ballet movements from the production! Examine the intricate details in the shimmering costumes used onstage before enjoying the show of Swan Lake. All are welcome. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Conducted in English and Cantonese. Only for Swan Lake ticket holders or Friends of Hong Kong Ballet. Advance registration required. $100 each*
*10% discount for Friends of Hong Kong Ballet

Swan Lake - Pre-performance Talk
26.10.2019 (Sat) 2:00pm – 2:20pm [Conducted in English]
3.11.2019 (Sun) 2:00pm – 2:20pm [Conducted in Cantonese]
Level 2 Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Adored worldwide by children and adults alike, Swan Lake has remained an enduring and powerful work. Meet the talented team behind the scenes of Swan Lake and gain valuable insight into this beloved classic. These informative talks feature artists and Company members engaged in conversation about this complex production filled with drama, romance and intrigue. Whether you’re new to ballet or simply interested in hearing how music and movement come together, don’t miss this fascinating talk before the curtain goes up!

The programme is about 20 minutes long. Free admission with Swan Lake ticket for Hong Kong Cultural Centre performances.
 

Champagne Partner

Make-Up Partner

International Media Partner

Media Partner

 

DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS 

[Click on the photo to download full image]

Photo 1: Swan Lake promotional image | Dancer: Wang Qingxin as Odile | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 2: Swan Lake promotional image | Dancer: Wang Qingxin as Odette/Odile | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 3: Swan Lake promotional image | Dancer: Ye Feifei as Odette | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 4: Chun Wai Chan | Photographer: Amitava Sarkar | Courtesy of Houston Ballet

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Photo 5: Houston Ballet Principal Chun Wai Chan as Siegfried in Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake | Photographer: Amitava Sarkar (2018) | Courtesy of Houston Ballet

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Photo 6: Matthew Golding | Photographer: Erwin Olaf

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Photo 7: Dancers (from left): Yuanyuan Tan and Matthew Golding | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 8: Dancers (from left): Li Jiabo, Chen Zhiyao and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Cheung Chi Wai | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 9: Dancers (from left): Li Jiabo, Gao Ge and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Cheung Chi Wai | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 10: Dancers: Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Tony Luk | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 11: Dancers (from front): Ye Feifei, Wei Wei and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Tony Luk | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 12: Dancers: Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Tony Luk | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 13: Dancer: Zhi-yao Chen | Photographer: Tony Luk | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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Photo 14: Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Tony Luk | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

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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, the Company 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 the Company, 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. The Company celebrates its 40^th Anniversary Season in 2019/20. 

For further information, please contact:

Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: 2105 9716
M: 9728 177
[email protected]

Derek Wong
Senior Corporate Communications Officer
T: 2105 9753
M: 6286 6422
[email protected]