Under the patronage of the French Consulate and organised by the Association Culturelle France-Hong Kong, Le French May is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. For the past six years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been the Major Partner of the festival, which this year carries the theme of “Celebrate Art and Life the French Way”. One of its signature programmes exclusively funded by the Charities Trust, “Paris Ballet Legends: A Night with the Stars”, features three star dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet: Agnes Letestu, Stephane Bullion and Josua Hoffalt, in a special performance with a cast of international dancers from European ballets and Hong Kong Ballet. Don’t miss the magic of Paris Ballet Legends uniquely for the festival. Mark the date!
Directed by Artistic Director Frederic Fontan, “Paris Ballet Legend: A Night with the Stars” is a tribute to both Paris and the artists who were inspired by it. A wonderful cast of stars, international dancers, and acclaimed musicians instill this collection of dances with love, grace and passion.
The world’s top dancers will perform amazing pas de deux flirts with different styles and stories, including: the romantic Giselle, the contemporary Non je ne regrette rien, the brilliant classic Black Swan, the daring Carmen Toujours! And neo-ballet La dame aux Camelias. The climax of the performance will be three couples dancing to multi-award-winning Jerome Robbins’ In the Night (adapted from Chopin’s Nocturnes) performed live by celebrated French pianist Henri Barda.
If you love ballet, don't miss this opportunity to see these amazing dancers and enjoy the romance of ballet!
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported Le French May since 2012. This year, it is contributing over HK$9.9 million to support four arts programmes and one educational initiative being staged between May and July. They comprise:
- Festival Opening: The Royal Concert of the Night – "The Birth of the Sun King", performed by the globally-acclaimed Ensemble Correspondances;
- Inventing le Louvre – From Palace to Museum over 800 Years, an exhibition featuring over 120 priceless art works from the world-renowned Musée du Louvre;
- Nicolas Buffe: The Dream of Polifilo, the debut exhibition of innovative French artist Nicolas Buffe;
- Paris Ballet Legends: A Night with the Stars, an iconic ballet performed by stars from the Paris Opera Ballet together with dancers from European ballets and Hong Kong Ballet;
- Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programmes, offering educational tours, workshops, masterclasses and free performances that reach the widest possible audience and contribute to the education of the younger generation. These programmes are expected to benefit over 36,200 participants.
