Hong Kong Ballet releases new repertoire

The Hong Kong Ballet announced the 2024/25 dance season performance plan, including the premiere of "The Wizard of Oz", "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai", "Frieda" and "Gisele" 4 large-scale original plays, as well as classics loved by the audience. In the new repertoire, "The Wizard of Oz" is adapted from a fairy tale and uses novel stage design and art technology; the season's highlight "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" is co-created by resident choreographer Hu Songwei and designer Ye Jintian, blending Chinese aesthetics and modern style; "Frieda" is created by Colombian-born and Belgian choreographer Ochoa, telling the legendary life of Mexican painter Frieda Kahlo; ballet classic "Giselle" is reinterpreted by Gangba artistic director Wei Chengtian and South African artist Charla Gan.

Gangba 2024/25 Dance Season is full of international characteristics, inviting the principal dancers of many international ballet companies such as the Royal Ballet of England, the Paris Opera Ballet of France, the Dutch National Ballet, the New York City Ballet of the United States, and the National Ballet of Berlin of Germany. To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Gangba, many international ballet stars and Gangba artists will join hands to present the "45th Anniversary International Ballet Superstar Festival". In addition, Gangba also released a new dance film "Tutu Academy", which is set in Hong Kong where retro and futuristic elements are intertwined. It tells the story of an outer space visitor's arrival in Hong Kong. The audience follows him to explore unfamiliar environments while also experiencing the fun and inclusive characteristics of ballet. "On the occasion of Gangba's 45th anniversary, I hope to show the charm of ballet art through this film, and use dance as the language to help communicate different cultures," said Wei Chengtian, artistic director.

It is reported that Gangba will start its tour in November this year, bringing two original dance dramas "Alice in Wonderland" and "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" to audiences in Beijing and Macau respectively. "Alice in Wonderland" is carefully crafted by an international team. Premiered in 2018, the dance drama presents the classic image of the original and the imaginative world of the original on the stage. It boldly combines dance, theater and chance play to give a creative new interpretation of this household story. "We hope to present the vibrant side of Hong Kong to mainland audiences through this work. It is really meaningful to be able to perform the new classics of the dance company in a national venue like the National Centre for the Performing Arts," said Li Yixuan, executive director of Gangba.

Founded in 1979, the Hong Kong Ballet Company is renowned internationally for its Hong Kong style, outstanding works and outstanding performances. Today, the Hong Kong Ballet Company is a vibrant artistic group with 50 elite dancers from all over the world. The repertoire includes many new classical ballet gems, neoclassical masterpieces, long ballets specially created for Hong Kong and works with Hong Kong characteristics, as well as the masterpieces of today's leading choreographers. The dance company has conducted nearly 50 world tours to date, visiting 11 countries.