Adapted from Puccini’s Opera of the same name, Australian choreographer Natalie Weir has transformed Turandot, a story of power, lust and revenge, into a visually stunning dramatic dance production. Accompanied by the original music, Weir’s choreography exhibits sensational and expressive dancing of The Hong Kong Ballet dancers resulting in a captivating spectacle which intrigues and beguiles audiences. Turandot is a Princess with a glittering heart of ice who has for many years shunned the attention of men. Any man wishing to wed the Princess must successfully answer the three riddles she sets, and if they fail, they must die. Her coldness does nothing to deter her suitors, even though many before them have been ritually executed. Prince Calaf returns to the city from exile and falls in love with Turandot at first sight. In turn, he is adored from afar by Liu, his father’s loyal servant girl. The complicated emotions aroused by this trio of protagonists inspire a deep reflection on the nature of true love… Programme Plus! Preview of Turandot Date: 21.1.2015 (Wednesday) Time: 7:30-8:45pm Venue: Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Take a deeper look into the history and beauty of Giacomo Puccini’s last operatic masterpiece, Turandot. An opera transformed into a visually stunning three-act dance drama for The Hong Kong Ballet by Australian choreographer Natalie Weir,Turandot is a story of unrequited love, sacrifice and passion. Find out more about this exciting adaptation of one of the most recognised operas in the world. Performed since 2004, this ballet has now become a signature piece of The Hong Kong Ballet’s repertoire, receiving its United States début in November 2014. Learn more about the commission of this powerful production and other significant ballet productions that have been created based on operas. Conducted in English. Suitable for ages 6 and above. Limited capacity, advance registration required. Registration Details: http://www.hkballet.com/preview Pre-performance Talk Date: 6.2.2015 (Friday) Time: 6:50pm Venue: Level 2 Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Before the curtain rises, stop by the lobby for a brief insight into the evening’s performance of Turandot. Featuring Giacomo Puccini’s beautiful score along with sophisticated sets and costumes, Natalie Weir’s adaptation of Turandot showcases The Hong Kong Ballet dancers’ incredible fusion of artistry and technique. Learn more about the history of Puccini’s masterpiece and its transformation from opera to dramatic dance along with other significant productions which have been choreographed based on inspirations from operas. The programme is about 20 minutes long. Conducted in English with Cantonese translation. Free admission with Turandot tickets. Enquiries: 2105 9743 | [email protected]