|
Talk about goodwill ambassadors: It's the rare touring company indeed that donates money to social causes in the communities it visits, let alone the countries it travels to. But the Hong Kong Ballet, in town for a special one-night engagement, will donate proceeds from that show to support the city of San Jose's arts education programs and a number of local nonprofit organizations and charities. One of the top ballet companies in Asia, the Hong Kong Ballet will perform its new work The Legend of the Great Archer on May 19 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
The company is as progressive artistically as it is socially, with a wide-ranging repertoire that includes classical ballets as well as original pieces, many of them inspired by Chinese history and culture. Part of the ballet's mission is to maintain a diverse company, so dancers hail not only from Hong Kong and mainland China, but also from many other countries.
The Legend of the Great Archer has all the elements of an epic ballet, from love and passion to betrayal and tragic death. The ballet was based on a Chinese folk tale about an archer god, named Yi, who offers his help to the emperor to destroy 10 suns that rose over China, scorching the land and leaving the people parched. The emperor promises the hand in marriage of his daughter, Jade, to anyone who can vanquish the 10 suns, not knowing that Jade already has a paramour. Yi's victory over the suns and Jade's subsequent attraction to him leads to far-reaching complications.
The ballet was choreographed by Hong Kong Ballet's artistic director Stephen Jeffries and features an original score by the award-winning composer Kuan Nai-chung. The work marks the first time that an orchestra of Chinese instruments has accompanied a full-length ballet.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, presents the Hong Kong Ballet, May 19, 7:30 p.m. at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. Tickets are $30$100. Tickets are available from many outlets, including 408.973.8276, 408.871.1234 or 408.436.8438. Also see www.hongkong.org/sf_great_archer.html.
|
