ENG-2001 — Page 475

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

Hong Kong Ballet

The Hong Kong Ballet again toured in the Mainland and overseas in 2001. The company's month-long tour of the Mainland covered seven cities, and it gave 11 performances of Romeo and Juliet. In the United States and Canada, the company gave 26 performances of The Last Emperor in a seven-week tour that covered 24 cities. Apart from touring, the company remained active in Hong Kong, producing its original production Mulan and re-runs of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. The company's Education and Outreach Unit organised 11 projects which had 26 580 participants, achieving its objective of promoting dance to the public and reaching all walks of life.

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra

Founded in 1977, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra was incorporated as a non- profit-making company in April. The orchestra is Hong Kong's only professional Chinese music orchestra. During the year, it gave 32 regular concerts and five ensemble concerts, attracting over 28 190 people. It also presented 52 free concerts in schools and community centres. From February to April, the orchestra organised "The Huqin Festival of Hong Kong' which featured a series of exhibitions, seminars and concerts on the huqin. The opening ceremony of the festival, Music from a Thousand Strings, performed by the orchestra and 1 000 huqin players from the local community, was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

Hong Kong Dance Company

Founded in 1981, the Hong Kong Dance Company was also incorporated as a non-profit-making company in April. Dedicated to promoting Chinese dance in Hong Kong, it produces five productions each season. The company reaches out to all walks of life in the community through workshops, seminars, demonstrations, open rehearsals and classes. During the year, the company presented 17 performances, attracting 13 200 people. It also gave 135 free performances and workshops in schools and community centres for 38 000 people.

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, an 89-member ensemble, is the first and only fully professional symphony orchestra in Hong Kong. During the year, the orchestra gave 75 regular symphonic concerts and 88 free concerts. It also organised extensive outreach programmes to promote classical music among students and the wider public. These programmes included various music-in-education projects and audience-building activities such as pre-concert talks, music appreciation courses, workshops, newspaper courses, production of music-related CDs and videotapes, and publication of books, newsletters and magazines.

Hong Kong Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1977, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre also became an independent non-profit-making company in April. During the year, the company staged eight productions of different genres involving 152 performances, including nine student performances. These attracted 41 770 people. Apart from its major productions, the company toured 69 schools and gave 13 demonstration workshops for the community. These outreach activities attracted 29 380 participants. During the

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