Spectacular Nureyev Gala in Hong Kong
International ballet galas are popular in Hong Kong. This latest gala presented by the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a tribute to the 20th century Russian ballet superstar Rudolf Nureyev, and is entitled “Nureyev & Friends”. Nureyev was born on 17 March 1938. So it was good timing that this gala programme was held last weekend.
The gala’s artistic director is David Makhateli, a former principal of the Royal Ballet in London. The ten duets presented in this two-act gala are mostly drawn from the classics and associated with Nureyev’s illustrious career. The 11 dancers participating in this gala are chosen from six top ballet companies in the world, three of which had close connections with Nureyev during his illustrious career.
Nureyev became a star of the Kirov Ballet (now renamed the Mariinsky Ballet) in Russia before he defected to the West in 1961. The Royal Ballet was closely connected with Nureyev who formed a legendary partnership with Dame Margot Fonteyn which lasted until the mid-1970s. And the Paris Opera Ballet was directed by Nureyev from 1983 to 1989.
The Paris Opera Ballet was represented by two stars - Mathieu Ganio and Dorothee Gilbert. Ganio is a noble princely dancer. They danced two duets from Nureyev’s choreographies. In the first half, they were glamorous in the ballroom duet from Nureyev’s production of “Cinderella” which is transformed into the 1930s golden era of Hollywood. And they also danced the elegiac pas de deux from the final act of Nureyev’s production of “Swan Lake”. It would have been more satisfying for the audience however if they had chosen instead the more familiar white swan duet in Act 2.
The Royal Ballet was represented by two talented first soloists – Isabella Gasparini and Luca Acri. In Act 1, they performed the duet from “Le Corsaire”. (This duet was memorably danced by Nureyev and Fonteyn in the 1960s.) Luca Acri drew the loudest applause in Act 1 on the opening night after his spectacular solo.
In Act 2, they danced the duet from “La Sylphide”. Acri dazzled with his beaten steps and his high elevation. Gasparini was graceful and sparkled in her quick footwork. Both dancers conveyed so much joy in this duet. It was a marvellous partnership.
From the Mariinsky Ballet we saw a rising first soloist, Maria Khoreva. Khoreva has a well-proportioned body and an effortless technique. She was partnered in two duets by the long-limbed Jacopo Tissi, a principal of the Dutch National Ballet. In the duet from “La Bayadere”, she was sharp and precise in her legwork. Later she was radiant in the duet from “The Sleeping Beauty”. Tissi had a dazzling virtuosity, executing his double air turns in both directions. Khoreva is definitely a rising star to watch out for.
Another highlight of this gala was the welcome return to Hong Kong of Alina Cojocaru, the former Royal Ballet star who is now a guest dancer of the Hamburg Ballet. This time she danced the emotional “Don Juan” duet choreographed by John Neumeier. Cojocaru had charisma as the mysterious Lady in White pursued by Don Juan but who ultimately led him to his death. Don Juan was impressively danced by Alexandr Trusch. It would have pleased Cojocaru’s fans more if she could have danced one more duet with Trusch.
The audience also saw two principals from the Royal Swedish Ballet – Luiza Lopes and Kentaro Mitsumori. Their spectacular rendition of the “Don Quixote” duet brought this gala to a triumphant close. Lopes was glorious in her solo holding a fan. Mitsumori’s well-centered and rapid multiple pirouettes at the end were exciting.
The only local connection to this gala was Chun-Wing Lam, who is currently a dancer of the Paris Opera Ballet. Lam, who was born here and graduated from the Jean M. Wong School of Ballet, was listed as the project manager of this Nureyev gala.And he also danced an intense solo from Nureyev’s ballet “Manfred”.
Overall, this was an excellent and spectacular ballet gala with a good assortment of stars and a well-chosen programme. The Hong Kong Arts Festival deserves praise for presenting this wonderful tribute to Nureyev.
Photo – by Tony Luk
Mathieu Ganio & Dorothee Gilbert in Cinderella
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