OREANDA-NEWS  On 18 September was announced, that the internationally renowned State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia (The Bolshoi Theatre) arrived in Hong Kong to perform its signature ballet performance, Spartacus, for the first time in the city.

This masterpiece three-act ballet, created by Yuri Grigorovich, the Russian dancer and choreographer who has been a dominating force in the Russian ballet scene for nearly 30 years, will be performed tomorrow at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Mr Anatoly Iksanov, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, said, "Spartacus is a true classic, which has been highly acclaimed in a great many cities around the world. We intend to make this performance in Hong Kong, led by our young star, Ivan Vasiliev, a truly unforgettable one."

Other principal dancers include Nina Kaptsova as Phrygia, Alexander Volchkov as Crassus and Galina Stepanenko as Aegina.

Basic Element, a Russia-based diversified investment company has become sponsor of this event.

Basic Element will donate all proceeds from the ticket sales to The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to develop local youth talent in ballet with the aim of promoting cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Russia.

Basic Element has in the past sponsored a number of cultural exchanges between Russia and China, including the tour of the Kuban Cossacks, the performance by the orchestra of Mariinsky Theater (St. Petersburg), and the tour of the Soloists of Moscow Ensemble, among others.

Mr Oleg Deripaska, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Basic Element, who also sits on the Board of Trustees of the Bolshoi Theatre, said, "Basic Element is deeply honoured to bring this spectacular performance to Hong Kong to showcase the best of Russia's art and culture. I am sure it will be a highly enjoyable evening for the audience and look forward to continued engagement with Hong Kong for the years to come."