Thursday, December 5, 2013

Hongkong Arts Festival: American Ballet Theatre's Yin and Yang


It’s always been a dream of mine to just flee for a month, travel around the world to watch as much ballet and broadway as I possibly could. My seemingly unattainable bucket list entry usually depresses me a bit but shining opportunities like the Hong Kong Arts Festival gives me quick fix with a succulent  fill of my addiction. Aligned with their resolve to show Hong Kong precious art nuggets from the global community, they invited American Ballet Theatre to represent the dance industry. American Ballet Theatre stayed in the Grand Theatre of the Hongkong Cultural Center for two weeks showing three different programs. The first two programs were  a mix of classical and contemporary ballet. The third program was a full staging of Romeo and Juliet. Just to pick which program to watch was quite difficult. The deciding factor was the cast for each of the program. We ended up watching the first two programs.

I expected ABT to be outstanding. I flew thousands of miles to see them precisely because I knew they were good. But I was curious to learn about their company dynamic and style. Moreover, I was curious to see who will be the most memorable dancer in the crop of all stars.

Having seen two programs, a total of 7 choreographies and a total of 10 Principal dancers  in two days my mind was completely overwhelmed. I was thoroughly pleased. Both gala shows did not disappoint. If there was anything I took home to Manila, it was the realization that American Ballet Theatre has successfully collected  some of the most brilliant dancers of this generation.

Marcelo Gomes stood out for me. I’ve had the opportunity to share the stage with him when I was younger and I must say he has grown. He was already an excellent dancer then but he now completely owns the stage. His beautifully sculpted body is enough to stare but his technique is en pointe too.  It must be a challenge to have to perform side by side such a strong presence. His artistry is moving. On the second night he danced in   The Moor’s Pavane and he literally broke my heart. He created beautiful moments and that for me is the mark of a real star.


Julie Kent was every bit the prima ballerina. She was stunningly beautiful . I want her feet, her legs, her neck. A few seconds of port de bras and I was already having “Life is unfair” conversations in my head. She was actually injured and did not perform the previous night so I was rooting for her in the audience. She performed on flat as the piece dictated but it was as if she were walking on point. Her feet melt in to the floor with each step. Her port de bras is perfect. I dare say perfect. Her role that evening did not require much technicality. It did not have fouettes, giant leaps perhaps a few penchees but that’s about it. But her performance for me did not need those because she was  every bit an artist. She is the perfect match to Marcelo Gomes. How I wish I were able to see them do the last offering which was Romeo and Juliet.  Surely the two of them would move me to tears.

Herman Cornejo on our first night at the theatre just made me lose all my poise when he danced  in Symphony #9. He was ridiculously good. He did en dedan tours  and defied gravity with his quick powerful leaps some of which ended in kneeling position. My husband, usually a very reserved kind of person started whooping. Truly a few moments of embarrassment but moments of insanity come hand in hand with moments of greatness.

Memorable to me was Daniil Simkin’s Stars and Stripes. His exhuberance and energy seemed never ending. He has a certain boyish charm that’s hard to resist. His youth for a lack of a better term was captivating. Technically  he was very proficient with cabrioles and beats. His legs were literally like scissors in the air. His multiple pirouettes were noteworthy not because they were plenty but because they were done with flair.  I am now a certified fan. Most definitely this boy is  google worthy. I must note however that he would sometimes slip on his partnering skills. Fortunately, Principal Sarah Lane was able adapt to the many surprises.

Polina Semionava, such an angelic face. Her body alone is to die for but what makes her special is the way she extends her body even more. Nature in its generosity  has endowed the gifts of grace and flexibility to this woman. When she executes a step it is always with a certain ethereal lightness. Ballet after all is about beautiful lines and the girl has got plenty. I’m not surprised that the crowd went wild as she exited the stage’s back door.
Lastly, I adored ballet couple Stella Abrera and Sascha Redetsky. Though they did not at any point dance together, they basically were very striking  dancers in the sea  of technically competent dancers. They had style .

It was exciting for me to see the new stars but it was fulfilling for me to see the mature talents of the company. Yin and Yang , ABT is a wonderfully balanced company who has not lost its touch. Thank you for allowing me to silence the mind and let the eyes marvel at beautiful things. Bravo! Til We Meet Again.


with lucas jacinto and marcelo gomes
marcelo and lucas 

 marcelo and my baby berry




polina semionova with a whole herd of followers 


I couldnt ascertain her name but she was uh-maaaazing. She's one of the soloists but she wore different wigs during the shows so I couldn't match the face with the name. 





American Ballet Theatre
Gala 1: Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes / Black Swan pdd / Stars & Stripes pdd / Shostakovich Symphony #9
Gala 2: The Leaves Are Fading / The Moor’s Pavane / Symphony in C
Romeo and Juliet
Hong Kong, Cultural Centre, Grand Theatre
21, 22, 27, 28 February 2013

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