6 November 2024 – Presented by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Macao Orchestra Company, Limited (“Macao Orchestra”) and SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”), the collaborative production with Hong Kong Ballet “Macao Orchestra x Hong Kong Ballet: The Butterfly Lovers” is scheduled for 9 and 10 November at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. To provide 60 performing arts students from Macao Conservatory and ballet enthusiasts with a deeper understanding of the artistic journey behind the ballet, SJM hosted a “Creative Team Sharing Workshop” on 6 November at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. During the workshop, talented representatives from the production teams shared their inspirations, experiences and the creative processes that bring this sweeping love story to life.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, stated, “Artists from Macau, Hong Kong, mainland China, and worldwide have brilliantly reinterpreted “The Butterfly Lovers,” weaving together traditional and modern elements to create a transcendent showcase of cultural innovation. This production is an important demonstration of cultural and artistic collaboration within the Greater Bay Area and with global talents, setting a new standard for creativity exchange. Through this session, SJM hopes to offer audiences new insights into the classical music, ballet, aesthetics, and more importantly, inspire young people in Macau to learn from the artists’ experience, deepen their skills, and contribute to the growth of Macau’s cultural and creative industry.”

This large-scale production commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Hong Kong Ballet, co-created by Choreographer-in-Residence Hu Song Wei Ricky and his wife, Associate Choreographer Mai Jingwen, who have transformed the legendary romance of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai into a visually stunning ballet that resonates with modern audiences. The Macao Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director and Principal Conductor Lio Kuokman, will perform a live score by rising Chinese composer Tian Mi, who draws inspiration from the celebrated “The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto.” This ballet will showcase the seamless fusion of artistic talents from Macau and Hong Kong.

The production’s visual components are equally impressive, showcasing stage and costume design by Oscar-winning designer Tim Yip. His creative vision, combined with the direction of Hong Kong Ballet’s Artistic Director Septime Webre, fuses Chinese aesthetics and contemporary flair to create an immersive experience. This performance highlights the collaborative efforts of artists from the Greater Bay Area and beyond, as they together reimagine a classic legend, drawing audiences into a rich, enchanting world where reality blends with imagination, allowing them to experience the masterpiece of art and the power of artistic collaboration between the Greater Bay Area and international partners.

Key speakers at the workshop included Hong Kong Ballet’s Artistic Director Septime Webre, Choreographer-in-Residence Hu Song Wei Ricky, Associate Choreographer Mai Jingwen, and Macao Orchestra’s Music Director and Principal Conductor Lio Kuokman. They provided an intimate glimpse into the creative journey behind “The Butterfly Lovers,” sharing insights into choreography, libretto, artistic direction, musical interpretation, and composition, broadening appreciation for the fusion of classical music and ballet. An interactive Q&A session followed, fostering a lively and inspiring exchange between performing arts students from the Macao Conservatory and ballet lovers with these distinguished artists. Adding a touch of whimsy to the occasion, SJM’s mascot, Sam the Rooster, made a special appearance dressed in formal suit.

Attendees shared their appreciation for the insights gained from the session. Students remarked on how eye-opening it was to see the collaborative effort required for a large-scale ballet production, while audience members expressed their excitement for the upcoming performance, noting that this behind-the-scenes experience heightened their anticipation for the upcoming performance.