Czech National Ballet in Hong Kong Arts Festival

Kevin Ng March 07, 2025 16:27

Nowadays Hong Kong seldom plays host to overseas ballet companies, except during the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival. Czech National Ballet is the only ballet company touring this year’s Festival. Its current artistic director is Filip Barankiewicz who is a former principal of Stuttgart Ballet.

This 75-strong European company is less renowned than for instance La Scala Ballet which performed in last year’s festival, but it has built up a diverse and interesting repertory under its present artistic director. Its programme in Hong Kong is “La Sylphide”, a famous ballet from the Romantic era. This is actually an excellent choice as this masterpiece is rarely performed here.

This two-act work which lasts for 90 minutes was choreographed by the 19th century Danish master August Bournonville in 1836. The story is about a beautiful sylph who lures a young Scotsman James to abandon his wedding to Effie and instead follow her into her realm in the forest. However, later he is deceived by Madge, an evil witch to place a poisoned veil around the Sylphide’s shoulders and causes her death. The ballet’s theme is about instinct and impulse overriding reason and duty.

This 2023 production of “La Sylphide” is by Johan Kobborg, a former principal of the Royal Ballet as well as the Royal Danish Ballet. It is a good production which is mostly faithful to Bournonville’s original choreography. The mime is clearly presented and the narrative is easy to follow. The costumes designed by Barbora Maleniska are sumptuous, especially the tutus for the corps de ballet of sylphs in Act 2 and the Scottish costumes in Act 1. One criticism is that the lighting in Act 1 is too dark, which is not helped by the sombre colour tone of the set depicting the interior of the Scottish manor house.

The Czech company was excellent in the opening performance last night. Alina Nanu was graceful as the title role of the Sylphide. Her dancing was light and airy, and her acting was fine. Paul Irmatov was ardent as James. They were moving in the Act 2 duet. He was dazzling in his virtuosity in his solo. Irmatov excelled in the Bournonville style.

Giovanni Rotolo was impressive as the evil witch Madge. His mime had authority. Matej Sust was handsome and shone as Gurn, the love rival of James. Alexandra Pera was warm as Effie.

The company fielded strong supporting performances. The Scottish Reel dance at the end of Act 1 was performed with vigour. The whole Act 2 was superbly danced. The Czech corps de ballet of sylphs was impressive in its stylistic unity. The tragic ending was moving. It would have been even better if there had been live accompaniment by an orchestra instead of recorded music.

Photo by Serghei Gherciu

Dancers - Pavel Irmatov & Alina Nanu

Kevin Ng

veteran dance critic