Music: Astor Piazzolla
Text and Libretto: Horacio Ferrer
Direction and Choreography: Helen Lai
Conductor: Vivian Ip
Singers: Carol Lin and David Quah
Narrator: Ricardo Canzio
Dancers: Suyi Hon, Felix Ke, Natalie Ko, Eric Kwong, Lai Tak-Wai, Pansy Lo, Shirley Lok, Natalie Mak, Jacko Ng, Qiao Yang, Brian Yam and Simpson Yau
Musicians: Evette Chiu, Chris Collins, Lily Hoi, Joelion Keung, Winnie Law, Daniel Leong, Marco Leung, Nazar Tabachyshyn, Raymond Vong, Nina Wong and Linda Yim
Co-production: City Contemporary Dance Company and Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)
Captivating, yet scorned upon, María is both a goddess and a slut. In the slums of Buenos Aires, under the moonlight, she dances a passionate, deadly tango, dreaming what no one else dares to. From birth to death, María's shadow wanders through streets and alleys, when her time finally comes to an end. As her soul is summoned by the spirits, will redemption or eternal doom lay upon her?
Inspired by the only tango-opera in Astor Piazzolla's repertory, sultry María de Buenos Aires is directed by international choreographer Helen Lai. In a collaboration with young conductor Vivian Ip, a group of dancers from the City Contemporary Dance Company, two opera singers and a band of Macao and Hong Kong musicians, this performance blends music, operatic singing and body movement. Hovering above the thin lines between life and death, reality and fantasy, this is a surrealistic homage to tango's everlasting appeal.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including one interval
Performed in Spanish, with surtitles in Chinese and English
Tango Opera by Astor Piazzolla María de Buenos Aires