Southam Hall, National Arts Centre

1^st March 2016 (Tue) 8:00pm
CAD85 CAD 70 CAD53 CAD41

Mixed Bill:
Dancing with the Wind
Castrati
In Light and Shadow

About Dancing with the Wind
Expressing its creator’s thoughts and inspiration sparked through movement, Dancing with the Wind is the third piece that Li Jun has choreographed for Hong Kong Ballet. The classical Western art form of ballet is fused with music, costumes and an aesthetic that is unmistakably Chinese. These combined influences swirl together to form a free-flowing experimental piece that includes key elements of traditional Chinese dance and tai chi. Set to a unique piece of music by composer Ah Yan, which includes Chinese string and woodwind instruments, everything from the abstract ink art set design to the traditional Chinese costumes paired with pointe shoes worn by the seven ballerinas highlight the striking complexities of the intricate balance and interrelated relationship between East and West.

Choreography: Li Jun
Music: Ah Yan
Set Design: Leocampo Yuen
Costume Design: Kun Li
Lighting Design: Kwok Fai Mak
Special Thanks: Crystal Music Ensemble and Gu Zheng Artist Yao Yao Wang

About Castrati
Nine of Hong Kong Ballet’s powerful men take over the stage in Nacho Duato’s Castrati. Set to a blend of Vivaldi’s and Karl Jenkins’ richly structured music, Duato’s work is a deeply affecting, powerful piece. The perfectly constructed ballet explores the meaning of masculinity and the significance of sacrifice in a world that demands perfection. South China Morning Post has described the piece, stating that “Duato’s choreography combines strong movement with an androgynous quality as disquieting as it is distinctive.” Castrati is hugely popular with audiences, starting quietly but building up to a punchy climax. Hong Kong Ballet was the first company in Asia to perform this eloquent piece.

Choreography: Nacho Duato
Music: Antonio Vivaldi and Karl Jenkins*
Set Design: Nacho Duato
Costume Design: Francis Montesinos
Staging: Fabrice Edelmann
Organization and Production: Carlos Iturrioz-Mediart
Producciones SL (Spain) ©NACHO DUATO, all rights reserved.
Lighting Design: Brad Fields
* With the permission of BOOSEY & HAWKES MUSIC PUBLISHER LIMITED.

About In Light and Shadow
Inspired by a range of Baroque dances and painters, including Michelangelo, Vermeer and Rembrandt, In Light and Shadow explores the interplay of light and shadow by juxtaposing contemporary lines with the lyrical music of J. S. Bach.

It begins with a delicate duet to the aria of Goldberg Variations before unveiling a rich tapestry of solos, duets and ensemble work set to the Third Orchestral Suite. Krzysztof Pastor, Artistic Director of the Polish National Ballet, was former resident choreographer of many world-class ballet companies, including Washington Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. The Journal’s Jonathan Goats said of the piece: “Playful lighting tricks and a simple but effective backdrop combine with the performance to produce a jubilant expression of human experimentation and a joyful reflection on ballet's evolving tradition and influence.”

Choreography: Krzysztof Pastor
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach’s Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068
Set & Costume: Tatyana van Walsum
Lighting: Bert Dalhuysen