features
some photo shoots in the city before and
I have to say that shooting in the streets
is always my favourite. This photo shoot,
though, was nothing like what I had done
before. The whole concept and idea was
so well thought through.”
Echoing Berga’s thoughts, Lefebure
said the images were designed to
be nothing like previous HK Ballet
campaigns, which were known more for
their conservative palettes and styling.
The idea with the new campaign, she
said, was to “shake up the traditional
perception of both Hong Kong and
ballet.” In many ways, the photos mirror
Webre’s own ambitions for the company,
or as Lefebure described it, his “wildly
unexpected vision for Hong Kong Ballet.”
On his arrival in the SAR last year,
Webre, whose Cantonese name Wei
Seng Teen means ‘one who protects
talent,’ said that he wanted the company
to be considered “one of the world’s
most forward-thinking ballet companies
with exquisite classical standards.” In an
interview with the South China Morning
Post at the beginning of his tenure, he
praised the enthusiasm and technical
talents of the company, and also said that,
as artistic director, his first priority must
be to the dancers – helping them develop
and grow, not only as artistic individuals
but as professionals with careers. To that
end, he has developed an ambitious
2018/19 program of modern and classical
pieces, and secured a top-notch class of
guest dancers and coaches to work with
his company.
“There are no words to explain
how excited I am about the fact that
Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca will be
coming to Hong Kong and coaching us
for this production,” said Berga.
Ferri and Bocca are world-renowned
dancers and guest artists, from Italy
and Argentina, respectively. And ‘this’
production Berga refers to is the timeless
romantic classic, Giselle, which will run
for five nights starting in late October.
Both Berga and her fellow dancer,
Garry Corpuz, cite Giselle, which tells
a passionate story of love, betrayal
and redemption, as their favourite
classical ballet.
2018 to June 2019, the HK Ballet and
its dancers don’t take off much time
during the traditional off-season month
of June. Berga, who was born in Riga,
Latvia, said she normally allows herself
a week or two of complete rest, in order
to recharge and recover from lingering
injuries. Then it’s back to the barre and
the resumption of company rehearsals.
Philippines-born Corpuz and Webre both
took working vacations in June: Corpuz
travelling to Jackson, Mississippi to
partner a friend at the USA International
Bal let Competition, and Webre fulfilling
professional commitments in New York
and Washington DC.
The workload, however, seems par
for the course for artists who are literally
What’s on the Programme
Alice in Wonderland
17-19, 24-26 August
Hong Kong Cool
13-16 September
“The music, the choreography suits
everything,” Corpuz said, “and makes
it one of the best classical ballets in
my opinion.”
For tickets to all the main shows,
HK Ballet is offering single and block
seats as well as specially-priced bundles
under the following categories: Septime
Series, Family Series and Choose-Your-
Own Package. In addition to staging a
whole season’s worth of programmes,
the company will continue its popular
family-oriented events and outreach
programmes and workshops, such as
Open Dress Rehearsals, Ballet 360 and
the Caring Community Programme for
Hong Kong’s elderly population. For a
slightly more unexpected side of ballet,
the quirky Ballet in the City events will
be back, including Pop-Up Showcases,
Ballet Happy Hours, films, podcasts and
a photography competition.
With plenty to entertain all ages and
a full calendar running from August
Ballet Classics for Children:
Carnival of the Animals
15-16 September
Giselle
26-27 October, 3-4 November
1st Annual International Gala
of Stars
2 November
The Nutcracker
14-16,19-23, 25-26 December
The Great Gatsby
15-17 February 2019
Le Corsaire
29-30 March 2019
HK Ballet X HK Phil: The Rite
of Spring
31 May 1-2 June 2019
Summer 2018
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