Mixed bill of ballet at Hong Kong Arts Festival something of a squandered opportunity
Second programme from Bayerisches Staatsballett featured Balanchine and the reimagining of a legendary work from 1922, but unfortunately seemed beyond the abilities of the junior company
The second programme from the Bayerisches Staatsballett, a mixed bill of four ballets, for this year’s Hong Kong Arts Festival felt oddly like watching a school performance – no surprise, as it was performed by the troupe’s junior company, Staatsballet II.
While the standard of dancing was acceptable for young trainees, it was disappointing in the context of the Arts Festival, given that there are so few opportunities to see top overseas ballet companies in Hong Kong.
The programme opened with Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante. Balanchine demands perfection and this performance fell far short of the style, speed and sparkle this jewel of a ballet calls for – neither allegro nor brillante, in fact. However, the lead ballerina (Bianca Teixeira, I believe – no casting was given) danced with vivacity and attack.
Best of the first half was Nacho Duato’s Jardí Tancat. One of the Spanish choreographer’s most popular pieces, set to the haunting voice of Calalan singer-composer Maria del Mar Bonet, it was danced with passion and commitment by the cast of six.
Richard Siegal’s Three Preludes was well-crafted and enjoyable, although neither the choreography nor the young dancers had the sophistication to match the wit and charm of Gershwin’s music.