Hong Kong's premier performing arts event presents another feast for the senses featuring a galaxy of international star performances. This 36th Hong Kong Arts Festival has a wonderful selection of opera, orchestral concerts, ballet, modern jazz and dance, along with modern drama and new twists to classical favourites. Here is a taste of what is on offer in the Events Capital of Asia.
OPERA
Teatro Regio di Parma: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Verdi's operatic masterpiece, Rigoletto , as you've never seen it before - done by a totally Italian cast. This signature production from Teatro Regio di Parma is Rigoletto at its tutta Italiana best. (7 - 11 March)
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic: Maestro Maazel has the NY Phil producing some of the "most exciting" and "breathtaking" performances in recent memory. Come hear one of the world's leading symphony orchestras play works by Dvořák, Mendelssohn and Brahms. (15 - 16, 18 Feb)
Vladimir Jurowski and
the London Philharmonic Orchestra: Voted one of the
'world's top young' conductors, the dynamic Jurowski leads
the LPO through two evenings of great symphonies - Tchaikovsky's
Sixth and Prokofiev's Fifth - in the finale
of the 2008 Hong Kong Arts Festival. (15 - 16 March)
András Schiff Piano
Recital: An acknowledged master of Beethoven's sonatas
(he once played all 32 in chronological order), Hungarian-born
András Schiff will perform two Beethoven piano sonatas- The
Tempest and Waldstein , and two works by Schumann, Papillons
(Butterflies) and Fantasy . (1 March)
BALLET
Stuttgart Ballet - Onegin
and Swan Lake : In honour of John Crenko's pioneering
contribution to modern dance, we're celebrating his 80th birthday
with two of his most renowned and spectacular productions,
Onegin and Swan Lake . (Swan Lake 14 - 16
February; Omegin 19 - 21 February)
JAZZ
Ornette Coleman:
This is a rare opportunity to see and hear a true living jazz
icon, alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman, the father of 'free
jazz', who brings us his award-winning Sound Grammar
for which he won a Pulitzer for Music in 2007. (28 - 29 February)
THEATRE
Two Masters - Brook and Beckett:
Peter Brook, the visionary director and icon of theatre, presents Hong Kong with a production dear to his heart, Fragments , a seamless joining of five short plays, by another theatrical giant and personal friend, Samuel Beckett. (15 - 18 February)
American Repertory Theatre - Orpheus X :
This is a modern telling of the Greek myth of Orpheus, the master musician and bereft husband whose grief plunges him into a hell to bargain for the life of his wife. Defined by its fresh, innovative and collaborative work, A.R.T. has amassed an impressive repertoire of both new pieces and progressive in its 27-year history. (21 - 23 February)
Lin Zhaohua Theatre Studio - The Master Builder :
Henrik Ibsen's most autobiographical play is an intense and psychological work. It's performed in Mandarin and brought to the Festival stage by Lin Zhaohua, China's most accomplished and prominent theatre director, and features an award-winning Mainland cast. (7 - 9 March)
Titus Andronicus:
One of the earliest of Shakespeare's tragedies, Titus Andronicus is filled with bloody, gory obsessions. Staged in Chinese by renowned local theatre director Tang Shu-wing, this is a ground breaking first for Hong Kong. (29 February - 2 March)
The Shape of Things:
Award-winning Neil Labute presents us with a dark yet illuminating account of the power games that men and women play. Translated into Cantonese, it features local director Gabriel Lee and one of Hong Kong's most celebrated actresses, Louisa So. (7 - 11, 13 - 16 March)
DANCE THEATRE
Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal - Vollmond (Full Moon) : Pina Bausch's pioneering choreography continues to startle the dance world and influence waves of dance lovers and imitators. Returning to Hong Kong with her Tanztheater Wuppertal, she brings a new offering from her innovative repertoire. (29 Feb - 3 Mar)
For more information, visit the festival website at http://www.hk.artsfestival.org .
Be sure to visit out interactive calendar for information on the great events taking place in Hong Kong.
