New York City Ballet's debut lives up to expectations

New York City Ballet HK Cultural Centre Grand Theatre

The Hong Kong Arts Festival pulled off a major coup this year with the Hong Kong debut of the New York City Ballet, which has been universally acclaimed as one of the world's greatest dance companies.

Legendary choreographer George Balanchine founded the company and it was there that he created many of the works with which he revolutionised classical ballet in the 20th century.

The opening programme last night consisted of three iconic pieces, one by Balanchine and two by Jerome Robbins, the other choreographer most closely associated with the New York City Ballet.

Symphony in Three Movements is a typical example of Balanchine's later work and represents his partnership with Igor Stravinsky, with whose music he created dozens of ballets from the 1920s to the 1970s. This work displays the company's virtuosity, making huge demands of speed, energy and precision.

Dances at a Gathering is Robbins' most celebrated ballet. Set to music by Chopin, it has no plot yet is imbued with atmosphere and emotion, capturing the composer's lyricism, melancholy and playfulness.