Press Release - March 31, 2004

(Toronto, Ontario – March 31st 2004) The Hong Kong Ballet is set to thrill art-loving Torontonians with the world’s first-ever full-length ballet to be accompanied by Chinese music. In May, the company will perform the North American premiere of Legend of the Great Archer in Toronto, before visiting Vancouver, San Jose and Washington DC.

Organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) as part of the “Relaunch Hong Kong” campaign worldwide, the Hong Kong Ballet’s North American premiere will take place on May 7 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto. Inspired by the classical Chinese folk tale about Yi, the Archer God, the ballet aims to convey Hong Kong’s dynamism and vibrancy.

As Hong Kong’s contribution to Canadian culture, the HKETO has partnered with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) to present this uniquely dynamic ballet repertoire in support of the Renaissance ROM’s China Initiative, one of the largest cultural renovation projects in Canada, in the Province of Ontario and in Toronto.

Speaking at a press conference today, the Hong Kong Ballet’s Artistic Director, Mr. Stephen Jefferies, who flew in from Hong Kong to introduce his newest creation to the Canadian media, said: “This dynamic ballet drama is the first full-length ballet to use Chinese music, and it is also the first time that the world-renowned Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra will perform the original score by award-winning composer Kuan Nai-chung to accompany the two-hour ballet repertoire.”

Feeling excited about his role as Hong Kong’s Goodwill Ambassador to promote closer Hong Kong-Canada cultural ties, Mr. Jefferies said: “This production has been a long journey of discovery. First suggested seven years ago by the Hong Kong Ballet Board Chairman, Cissy Pao Watari, the scenario has undergone many transitions. Eventually, I decided to use the story of the Great Archer as a framework to explore human emotions and characters in a neo-classical style.”

A former principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada, Mr. Jefferies said he had great affection towards Canada. His collaboration with Ballet Jorgen in Toronto and its Artistic Director, Bengt Jorgen, brought him even closer to this fascinating country. “I hope the Canadian audience will enjoy Legend of the Great Archer and that our presence will strengthen our bond with Canada,” he added.

In a video appearance at the press conference, Mr Kuan Nai-chung, the ballet’s composer, said: “The subjects of the music for this ballet are close-cut and focused. They progress along four lines, evolving around the central characters: the tragic hero Yi, the alluring, almost vixen-like Princess Jade, the sinister Feng, and the innocent and eager Maid. This is the first time ever that a Chinese orchestra will be used to play the live accompaniment for a full-length ballet. The Chinese orchestra is made up of a wider spectrum of musical instruments than its western counterpart, thus lending the music richer tone colours.” The composer added, “It was difficult to write music that was expected to sustain a two-hour ballet drama. I was fortunate to have Stephen’s understanding and support during the course of writing the score and this resulted in the most enjoyable collaboration I have ever had with a choreographer in my career.”

On hand to support Stephen Jefferies at today’s press conference was the Artistic Director of Ballet Jorgen, Mr. Bengt Jorgen, who specially arranged his ballet dancers to model the costumes of Legend of the Great Archer in front of the media.

Also present at the press conference were the President and Executive Director of the ROM Foundation, Mr. David Palmer, the HKETO Director, Mr. Bassanio So, and the Chair of ROM’s Hong Kong Ballet Organising Committee, Ms. Rita Tsang.

On behalf of the Renaissance ROM China Initiative, Mr. Palmer thanked the HKETO for their generous commitment, which was indicative of the widespread support that the Chinese community, both here and abroad, has demonstrated for the project. “We are delighted that the proceeds of the Hong Kong Ballet’s Toronto performance of Legend of the Great Archer will go to the Renaissance ROM China Initiative, a project that will strengthen the ROM’s position as a major centre for Chinese art and culture in Canada,” he said.

In response, the HKETO Director, Mr. Bassanio So, said that he was pleased that the ballet was such an excellent blending of the eastern and western cultures, symbolic of the close ties between Hong Kong and Canada. He expressed his hope that by working together with the ROM on the North American premiere of Legend of the Great Archer, Hong Kong can contribute in a meaningful way, not only to improve the ROM’s extraordinary Chinese gallery, but to foster a long-term cultural partnership between Canada and Hong Kong.

The Chair of the Hong Kong Ballet Organising Committee, Ms. Rita Tsang, also took the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the HKETO, as well as the many sponsors for their efforts to make possible this Gala event in Toronto. “The HKETO’s contribution to the Renaissance ROM China Initiative brings us one step closer to our goal and will make a lasting impact for future generations of ROM visitors who will enjoy learning about the rich cultural history of China,” Ms. Tsang said. “We are also thankful to our sponsors who have so generously and selflessly stepped forward to support this unique initiative.”

These sponsors include the Special Sponsors and Supporters from Hong Kong: J.P. Morgan, OOCL, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Information Services Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; the Exclusive Travel Sponsors: Air Canada and Tour East Holidays; the Toronto Presenting Sponsor, Trillion Financial Group; Platinum Sponsors: Shiu Pong Group of Companies and Toronto Cathay Lions Club; and Gold Sponsors: HSBC Bank Canada and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The event’s Promotion Sponsor is Cathay Pacific Airways, whereas the Premium Media Sponsors are Fairchild Media Group, Fairchild TV, Fairchild Radio and TalentVision. Ming Pao and World Journal are supporting the event as Media Sponsors.

Tickets for the performance are $50 and $80, and are available through the St. Lawrence Centre Box Office. Tickets may be purchased by phone at (416) 366-7727 or 1 (800) 708-6754, online at www.stlc.com, or in person at the St. Lawrence Centre Box Office at 27 Front Street East, Toronto. The Box Office is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and until curtain time on the performance day.

The VIP Gala tickets at $250, which also include a gala dinner at le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel after the performance, have been fully booked. However, interested public are welcome to contact the ROM Foundation at (416) 586-5818 to be placed on a waiting list should gala tickets become available.

Different categories of sponsorship for this event are also available by calling the ROM Foundation’s Vanessa Abaya at (416) 586-5578.

The Royal Ontario Museum is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Renaissance ROM will transform the ROM through bold new architecture, heritage building restoration and improved public amenities to create a star cultural attraction for the city, the province and Canada.

For further information, please contact John Tam, Chief Information Officer at (416) 924-5544, email [email protected] or
Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected].