With 40 dancers originating from more than 10 countries and regions, it’s quite apropos that the Hong Kong Ballet would make its first return to U.S. soil since 2004 during the summer Olympics.
“Hong Kong Ballet offers up a dramatic example of the internationalism and range of training, personnel, and repertoire that are ubiquitous in the dance world today,” the Boston Globe’s dance critic said of the company first U.S. performance in eight years at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival last month. “Just as the artists represent a broad swath of cultures, so do the characters and themes presented.”
Accordingly, the company will present three very different contemporary works, two of which were commissioned by the troupe.
“Black on Black,” created for The Hong Kong Ballet by Kinsun Chan in 2011, explores the fascinating duality of the color black, and reflects every facet of black’s symbolism. Kinsun incorporates his fascination with body language and gestures into this ballet of power, passion and surprise.
Kinsun’s ballet is complemented by Peter Quanz’s “Luminous,” an emotionally-charged ballet about the fragility of human relationships, the tension between the genders and the qualities drawn out of us by each passing alliance.
Completing the program is Nils Christe’s “Symphony in Three Movements, originally created for the Royal Ballet of Flanders. Set to Stravinsky’s work of the same name, Christe’s ballet is inspired by the complex concepts connected with war, including fear, anger, hiding, running and saying goodbye.
The Hong Kong Ballet recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009, and is becoming internationally recognized as a world-class institution with an identity that fully reflects the unique vitality of Hong Kong.
The company’s artistic team is led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne. The troupe performs a repertoire that combines 19th and 20th century classical masterpieces, acclaimed contemporary works and new commissions. Since 1997, The Hong Kong Ballet has raised its international profile by conducting over 20 tours.
Presented by the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Hong Kong Ballet will perform two back-to-back performance Friday, Aug. 3 and Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Aspen District Theatre. Showtime is at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at www.aspenshowtix.com [1].
damien@aspendailynews.com
Hong Kong Ballet
Presented by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Friday, Aug. 3 & Saturday, Aug. 4,
8 p.m.
Aspen District Theatre
www.aspenshowtix.com [2]
