THERE will be no snow, but it promises to be a very Russian Christmas in Hong Kong this year, with the Kirov Ballet and the Russian State Chorus complementing the Hong Kong Ballet's annual run of The Nutcracker.
Usually when the top Russian companies come to Hong Kong they arrive with 'best of' selections. This five-night run at Sha Tin Town Hall from December 8-12 is, therefore, a rare treat for the SAR, and is one of the Spotlight events supported by the Hong Kong Tourist Association.
The artistic director is Valery Gergiev - who will be coming to Hong Kong in person in January, for the Kirov's opera, La Pique Dame - also by Tchaikovsky.
Older even than Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet, the Kirov has signified the Russian ballet tradition for more than 250 years. Swan Lake is one of its most famous ballets - this Petipa/ Ivanov version was created by Konstantin Sergeev.
Orchestral accompaniment will be by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, augmented by members of the Kirov Orchestra, and conducted by Boris Gruzin. Tickets, at $160 to $400, are available from Urbtix.
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is a regular feature of Christmas in Hong Kong.
