16 September 2011 will see the hosting of the first anniversary of the Franco Dragone show The House of Dancing Water, which has already welcomed over 700,000 spectators in Macao. An outstanding event, resulting from relentless hard work and remarkable cooperation between Melco Crown Entertainment and its co-Chairman, Lawrence Ho.

From 1993 to 2005, Franco Dragone revolutionised American urban culture and performing arts. From Mystère to Rêve, by way of the Céline Dion triumph (A New Day), each of his shows, first with the Cirque du Soleil and then with his own company, Franco Dragone Entertainment Group, has raised the bar of excellence, of fantasy and of wonder.
Dragone is more than just an artist. He is also an entrepreneur. He could have settled in Vegas and ridden the wave of his success, but instead he took to heart the words of Barba: “move towards the lightning, because where there is storm, there is water, vegetation, life.” And the lightning, at the start of the 21st Century, has been nowhere stronger and more enticing than in Asia.

The creation of The House of Dancing Water in Macao, 16 September 2010, was a roll of thunder in more sense than one: in the size of the project, which encompasses not only designing a show but also building the theatre, and of the budget (USD 250 million); in the artistic and technological challenges to be overcome; and in the amazing welcome of the audiences for this unprecedented event. Once again, Franco Dragone has pushed back the frontiers of his art.
Adding to an already impressive audience of 75 million people will, in one year’s time, be a further 700,000 enthusiastic spectators.

This great adventure would not have been possible without the exceptional partnership that formed between the Franco Dragone company and that of Lawrence Ho, Melco Crown Entertainment, owner of the City of Dreams complex that hosts the Dancing Water Theatre. A partnership based on mutual trust and respect, perfectly in harmony with the show’s theme of the meeting between West and East.
To celebrate the first anniversary of The House of Dancing Water on 16 September, a charity evening will be held, featuring a concert by prodigious Chinese pianist Yundi. The show itself will be followed by a prestigious gala dinner. Two thousand tickets have been sold, the prices for which vary from HKD 1,500 to 4,500. Profits, estimated at EUR 100.000, all go to the Melco Crown Entertainment “Yundi Scholarship” foundation, the aim of which is to promote Macanese culture and encourage young musical talent.
The decision to combine an anniversary event with a charity evening bears witness to Franco Dragone’s social commitment and that of his business partner Lawrence Ho, as well as of pianist Yundi.