The show, part of this year's France May Arts Festival, is titled 'Symphony of the New World' and will feature a diverse repertoire from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
Giuani, who spearheaded the collaboration, told the Post that the idea behind it was to create a new world that “embraces new forms and acts with diversity in music and dance.”
“Here in France, this kind of music is not often performed on the classical stage. 'Symphony of the New World' allows us to discover the world not only through music but also through dance.” she says.
On stage, Murad Merzouki, known as the “ambassador of French hip-hop,” infuses the music's vibrant rhythms with a dynamic fusion of hip-hop, breakdance, martial arts, and contemporary dance.
As a choreographer trained in martial arts and circus acrobatics, Marzouki says pushing the boundaries of hip-hop dance has been a lifelong endeavor.
“Breaking down barriers, crossing disciplines, creating unexpected dialogues, shaking things up, and being shaken up is what deeply drives me in the creative process,” says Merzouki.
A very great opportunity to create a project about the Olympic spirit
He said he hopes the fusion of the worlds of classical music and street dance will bring both genres to a wider audience.
Although the different nature of the two art forms posed challenges, both Giouani and Merzouki found collaborating on “Symphony of a New World” to be a rewarding experiment.
“With this collaboration, [both] We need to grow in terms of openness and also take risks,” says Merzouki.
For Giuani, the fusion with hip-hop dance not only injects energy and diversity into classical music, but also resonates with the inclusion of breakdancing as an Olympic sport.
“It's a fantastic opportunity to create a project about the Olympic spirit,” she says. “The Olympics are not just a sporting event or a major event, but also an encounter with different cultures and Olympic values.”
Merzouki said the performance reflected the spirit of competitive sports and its values of excellence, friendship and respect.
“Our goal is to take our audience on a journey that resonates with poetry, beauty, light, and generosity. In a way, we need to balance the complexities of today's world. ” he added.
Coincidentally, another cross-disciplinary fusion of music and dance will be held at Free Space in the West Kowloon Cultural District in June.
The performance by Amsterdam-based ISH Dance Collective, titled “Elements of Freestyle,” will be a theatrical fusion of breakdancing, in-line skating, skateboarding, freestyle basketball, BMX and freerunning, accompanied by live music by cellist Annie Tandberg and violinist Vera van der Bee.
Paul Tam, the Cultural District's executive director of performing arts, said this is a testament to the endless possibilities for contemporary performance and the innovative and transformative nature of Free Space, which opened five years ago as the city's largest black box theater. He says it is a showcase of strength.
In addition to performances June 28-30, members of the ISH Dance Collective will lead three public workshops in June.
Symphony of the New World, Hong Kong Cultural Center Grand Theatre, May 23-24, 8pm. visit www.frenchmay.com Details: ISH Dance Collective's “Elements of Freestyle,” The Box, Freespace, June 28-29, 8 p.m., June 30, 3 p.m. www.westkowloon.hk For more information.
