Hong Kong Ballet Returns with the Glamorous Masterpiece
Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels
French May Arts Festival 2021 Programme
[Hong Kong—17 March 2021] With its debut of Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) will once again showcase its shining artistry and ability to master a variety of styles. Hailed as ‘a perfect introduction to ballet’ by The New York Times, the full-length, three-act ballet featuring Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds is a modern masterpiece created by George Balanchine, often referred to as the Father of American Ballet. 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 twentieth century since its premiere in 1967. This programme is part of French May Arts Festival 2021.
Accompanied by music from three iconic composers performed live by City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, the glittering production celebrates the beauty and glamour of precious gemstones and honours the distinctive French, American and Russian balletic styles. In Emeralds, Balanchine evokes the French romantic style with elegant choreography to music by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Rubies is a celebration of American exuberance and energy to Igor Stravinsky’s jazzy music performed by guest pianist Rachel Cheung. The grand finale Diamonds is where Balanchine presents the magnificent grandeur of Imperial Russia to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s rich score. International ballet star Daniel Camargo, former Principal Dancer at Dutch National Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, will perform alongside HKB artists in Emeralds and Diamonds.
Adorned with sparkling, colourful jewels in intricate patterns, the extravagant costumes designed by Balanchine's long-time collaborator Barbara Karinska regally create each act’s distinct look. In Emeralds, ballerinas wear romantic, calf-length green tulle skirts inspired by French romanticism. The bold short red skirts in Rubies reflect the drive and passion vibe of modern America, and the ethereal, pure white classic tutus reminiscent of Imperial Russia shimmer and float in Diamonds.
Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels will have five performances during 21–23 May 2021 at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ Lyric Theatre. Tickets will be available at HK Ticketing from 19 March and are priced at $680, $480, $280 and $140, with VIP tickets at $1,000. The production is suitable for ages 6 and up.
All audience members are required to wear their own masks, avoid sharing items and maintain appropriate social distance in the theatre. The safety of our patrons, artists and staff is our first priority, and as such, seating will reflect the latest social distancing regulations in Hong Kong. HKB is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will promptly announce any changes to performances following the latest official pandemic recommendations, including the release of additional seats for sale to the public should social distancing rules be relaxed prior to the performances. For the most recent updates, please check HKB’s official website (hkballet.com).
About Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels
BRILLIANT GEMSTONES INSTILLED INTO A GRAND DISPLAY
George Balanchine's glittering masterwork Jewels was inspired by a chance visit to iconic High Jewelry Maison Van Cleef & Arpels on Fifth Avenue in New York, and since its premiere in 1967, it has become one of the most renowned works of the twentieth century. This dazzling three-act ballet celebrates the beauty and glamour of precious gemstones: in Emeralds, Balanchine evokes the French romantic style; in Rubies, he celebrates American exuberance and energy; and in Diamonds, he presents the magnificent grandeur of Imperial Russia. With music by Fauré, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky performed live and extravagant costumes, the modern classic Jewels is the epitome of glamour!
Creative Team
Choreography George Balanchine
©The George Balanchine Trust
Music Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Costume Design Barbara Karinska
Lighting Design Billy Chan
Live Accompaniment City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong
Conductor Robert Reimer
Guest Principal Artist (Emeralds and Diamonds) Daniel Camargo
Piano (Rubies) Rachel Cheung
Guest Principal Artist
© Sebastian Galtier
Daniel Camargo
International Ballet Star
Former Principal Dancer, Dutch National Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet
Born in Sorocaba, Brazil, Daniel Camargo trained at John Cranko Ballet School, joined Stuttgart Ballet upon graduation and became a Principal Dancer in 2013. He guest performed at Dutch National Ballet and joined the company in 2016.
An acclaimed guest artist, Camargo has danced with numerous companies worldwide such as The Royal Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet, The Australian Ballet and The Tokyo Ballet. His accolades include European Foundation for Culture's 2009 European Most Promising Award, the 2011 Audience Choice award at the Erik Bruhn Prize competition in Toronto, Canada, the 2017 Positano Premia la Danza and a 2018 Prix Benois de la Danse nomination.
© Cheung Tai Chi
Rachel Cheung
Piano
Locally born Rachel Cheung was the first Hong Kong pianist to be a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition finalist in 2017, earning both critical acclaim and the Audience Award for 'outstandingly lyrical' playing that showed 'nobility in her interpretation’. Other accolades include prizes in the 2009 Leeds, 2010 Chopin and 2012 Geneva International Piano Competitions.
Cheung frequently performs both locally and internationally. Highlights of her 2018/19 season include recitals in the US, Mexico, Italy, Poland, the UK, Germany and Japan, and creative collaborations with Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra and Asian Youth Orchestra, among others.
Performance Details
Opening Night 21.5.2021 (Fri) 7:30pm
22–23.5.2021 (Sat–Sun) 2:30pm & 7:30pm
$1,000 (limited VIP tickets), $680, $480, $280, $140 | $340, $240, $140, $70 *
Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Five performances with live accompaniment
*Available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities and the minder
Tickets available at HK Ticketing from 19.3.2021 (Fri)
Internet Booking: www.hkticketing.com
Booking: 31 288 288
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 two hours, including two intermissions.
Discounts
|
50% off |
Full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder (Limited tickets for students and senior citizens available on a first-come, first-served basis. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts.) |
|
15% off |
Friends of Hong Kong Ballet members |
|
10% off |
CCDC Dance Inspirations/Student Dance Inspirations Card holders, Chung Ying Theatre Company’s Energy Fun Club plus members, Friends of HKCO members, Friends of HKDC Prestige members, HK Phil’s Club Bravo/Young Audience Scheme members, HKRep Pals members, Zuni Friends members, Fringe Club Members, Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association members, The Hong Kong Association of Theatre Technicians & Scenographers members, HKBU Foundation members, Hong Kong Dance Alliance members and MOViE MOViE members |
|
Group Booking |
10% off for every purchase of 10-19 tickets at regular price; |
Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discounts for each purchase.
Discounts do not apply to $1,000 VIP tickets.
Joint Promotional Offers
Enjoy Exclusive Gastronomic Delights at Rosewood Hong Kong
Ticket holders can enjoy special sets and/or menus at Bayfare Social, Holt’s Café, Tea Conservatory and The Butterfly Room at Rosewood Hong Kong upon presentation of their Hong Kong Ballet tickets.
Details: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hong-kong/dining
Enquiries: 3891 8732 | [email protected]
Reservations must be made in advance
Terms and conditions apply
15% Off Food and Beverage at K11 ARTUS
Ticket holders can enjoy one complimentary drink per person and 15% off a la carte menu at The Commune, 10/F at K11 ARTUS on the day of the performance upon presentation of their tickets.
Enquiries: 2107 3388 | [email protected]
Website: www.artus.com.hk
Terms and conditions apply
10% off Your Artisanal Staycation at K11 ARTUS
Book directly with promotion code HKBAL via K11 ARTUS official website and enjoy 10% off Best Available Rate. Relax and recharge in our tastefully designed residences for the ultimate artisanal staycation experience.
Enquiries: 2107 3388 | [email protected]
Website: www.artus.com.hk
Privilege is applicable to reservations made through our official website for stays from now till 31 May 2021.
Terms and conditions apply, subject to blackout dates.
HKB UPCLOSE
Balanchine’s Jewels Ballet 360°
Date: 13.5.2021 (Thu)
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Venue: GR2, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
What inspired the Father of American Ballet George Balanchine to create the glittering masterpiece Jewels? Celebrating the beauty and glamour of precious gemstones and honouring the distinctive French, American and Russian balletic styles, Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents: Balanchine’s Jewels features the elegant Emeralds, exuberant Rubies and magnificent Diamonds. Come and learn about one of the most renowned works of the 20th century directly from HKB's artistic team and hear about the dancers' exciting experience rehearsing with a Balanchine repetiteur. Dancers will also perform selected excerpts from the production. Let Ballet 360° whisk you away to a sparkling fantasy!
Free Admission
Conducted in English
Suitable for ages 6 and above
Registration Details: hkballet.com/ballet360
Limited capacity, advance registration required.
Surrealism + Ballet
Date: 23.5.2021 (Sun)
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, B/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art
Ballet has been an inspiration to some of the most significant masterpieces in Arts history and the Surrealist artists certainly were no exception! Join Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, and Didier Ottinger, Curator of French May Art Festival’s Mythologies: Surrealism and beyond—Masterpieces from Centre Pompidou exhibition and explore the synergies between Surrealism and ballet in the 20th century.
More details to be announced
|
Title Sponsor |
|
|
|
|
|
Champagne Partner |
Make-Up Partner |
 |
|
|
Hotel Partner |
Hotel Partner |
 |
|
|
Artist Residency & |
Media Partner |
 |
|
|
Company Partner |
Supported by |
 |
|
Download High Resolution Images
[Download all images via here or click Download buttons below]
Photo 1: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Chen Zhiyao, Yang Ruiqi, Venus Villa | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet 
Photo 2: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Venus Villa, Leung Chunlong, Li Jiabo, Chen Zhiyao, Henry Seldon, Yang Ruiqi | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 3: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Li Jiabo, Chen Zhiyao | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 4: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Yang Ruiqi, Henry Seldon, Gao Ge | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 5: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Henry Seldon, Yang Ruiqi | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 6: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Venus Villa, Leung Chunlong | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 7: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Yang Ruiqi, Chen Zhiyao, Venus Villa | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet 
Photo 8: Van Cleef & Arpels Proudly Presents Balanchine’s Jewels promotional image | Dancers (from left): Li Jiabo, Chen Zhiyao, Yang Ruiqi, Ye Feifei | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet 
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.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: (852) 2105 9716
M: (852) 9728 1777
[email protected]
Nichol Chau
Senior Marketing Officer
T: (852) 2105 9753
M: (852) 5632 1755
[email protected]
