By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Top ballerina Kang Sue-jin is returning for local fans with a special gala performance, ``The Ballet,'' this April.
The 42-year-old wowed fans with her performance as Juliet two years ago in Seoul, and this time she will present the history of ballet, ranging from classical to modern.
``It's been two years since the `Romeo and Juliet' performance. Since then, I've only visited Korea for a short time in April last year for a performance at the Seongnam Dance Festival. This time the audience will get to watch me in diverse roles, as I will appear in five different works,'' Kang said.
``The Ballet'' is comprised of seven works: ``The Lady of the Camellias,'' ``Suite No. 2,'' ``Nuages,'' ``Vapour Plains,'' ``Affi,'' ``Ballet 101'' and ``My Way.'' ``Suite No. 2'' and ``Vapour Plains'' will have their Korean premieres.
Gala shows, especially in ballet, tend to bring the cream of the crop for each performance. But while it can be a great way to watch a range of famous works, it can be hard to appreciate the overall atmosphere and movement.
``Gala performances usually show bits of famous works, but I have prepared longer abstracts for this performance. The reason I am bringing never-before-shown works is because I want to introduce the local public to new experiences,'' she said.
``The Ballet'' was planned by Kang herself, and she chose the works and dancers carefully.
``The Lady of the Camellias'' is a special piece for Kang, as it was her performance of it that led her to win the prestigious Benois de la Danse in 1999. It is considered one of Kang's most famous performances along with ``Romeo and Juliet'' and ``Onegin.'' Kang will offer the first and third acts, while the second act will be presented through a video and a live piano performance of Chopin's music. Organizers also added that the work was chosen to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Polish composer's birth.
``Suite No. 2'' by Uwe Scholz will be brought to Korea for the first time. It will be performed by Kang, dancers from the West Australian Ballet and two pianists playing Rachmaninov's Suite as the background music.
Stuttgart dancer and aspiring choreographer Evan Mckie's work ``Vapour Plains'' will also be presented to the Korean public.
```Vapour Plains' was staged at the Stuttgart Ballet a few months ago and when I saw it, I persuaded Mckie and finally decided to bring it to Korea,'' Kang explained. She will perform the work with Jason Reilly, principal dancer of the Stuttgart Ballet.
``Nuages,'' created by famed choreographer Jiri Kylian, features two dancers coming together and then drifting apart, like clouds that slide along and finally dissipate. ``Nuages'' means clouds in French. Kang will perform with Ivan Cavallari, currently the artistic director at West Australian Ballet.
``Affi,'' created by Marco Goecke, is a solo piece and winner of last year's Choreographer Award at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. The dazzling solo will be performed by Marijn Rademaker to songs by Johnny Cash.
Eric Gauthier's ``Ballet 101'' won the Critics and Audience prizes at the International Choreographic Competition in Germany. The humorous solo piece starts with the basic five positions and then moves on with the dancer creating 100 positions, referencing famous ballets and choreographers and leading to a surprise ending. The work will be presented by Reilly.
Finally, dancers from the West Australian Ballet will perform Stephan Toss' simple yet energetic work ``My Way.''
``The dancers I will be working with are those who I feel most comfortable with. The performances will be a great way to watch their distinctive style and personalities and I feel lucky to have them appear at this gala,'' Kang said.
Kang is one of Korea's favorite ballerinas in the international spotlight. She was the youngest ballerina to join the Stuttgart Ballet in 1986 and has won numerous accolades, including the Prix de Lausanne and the John Cranko Award. Kang was also the first Asian to be honored as a ``Kammertanzerin,'' or chamber dancer, by the German government. A true believer in hard training, the ballerina believes it is important to bring ballet to the public, not only those living in large cities, but also in small towns.
``The Ballet'' will be staged from April 10 to 11 at Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, visit www.clubbalcony.com or call 1577-5266.