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World of performing arts

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World of performing arts
News and reviews of the performing arts – ballet, contemporary dance, opera, theatre, musicals and more – in and around Hong Kong and beyond.
Elim Chan conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra during a performance at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall in November 2024. Photo: Keith Hiro/HK Phil
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Hong Kong-born Elim Chan becomes first woman to lead San Francisco Symphony

Rising maestro emerged as a surprise choice and will begin her six-year term at the famed orchestra in September 2027.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

East meets West in melodic concert blending the suona with the organ

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Soprano-pianist Rachel Fenlon wows in dexterous Hong Kong debut

William Shakespeare

A female Hamlet, a BMW-driving Hamlet: how Shakespeare’s play is having a moment

Fresh, vibrant and inclusive, new Hamlet productions are part of a wave of interest in the Shakespearean tragedy seen from stages to TikTok.

Sri Lankan actor Hiran Abeysekera performs in the role of Hamlet at the National Theatre in London on September 25, 2025. Photo: AP
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | East meets West as Opera Hong Kong’s Carmen takes place in 1970s Hong Kong

Opera Hong Kong’s bold Hong Kong-set Carmen reimagines Bizet’s classic with triad gangsters, Cantonese lines and electrifying performances.

South Korean celebrities

Pioneering South Korean soprano Sumi Jo joins K-pop label, sings with Exo’s Suho

Sumi Jo opens up on great moments in her 40-year career, her new album Continuum, and why she signed with K-pop label SM Entertainment.

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What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this Mother’s Day weekend, May 8-10

From an artisan Mother’s Day market to food, fashion and music, check out our recommendations for things to do around the city this weekend.

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Sapphire Shen (front), a lupus patient and founder of My Lupus Diary, is pictured at The Lupus Revolution, an inspiring awareness and fundraising event, in May 2024. This weekend, Shen will hold The Lupus Revolution Vol. 2 in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Performing arts in Hong Kong

HK Phil’s compressed Ring cycle recording is Wagner made accessible

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s recording of Wagner: The Ring – An Orchestral Adventure is a symphonic narrative of just over an hour.

LGBTQ

Drag Race royalty Manila Luzon on Asian representation and challenging taboos

The RuPaul’s Drag Race ‘OG’ opens up on representing Filipino drag, hosting reality show Drag Den, and appearing on Worst Cooks in America.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

Yo-Yo Ma, Gustavo Dudamel among stars of HK Phil’s 2026-27 season

Nobuyuki Tsujii and Eric Lu also feature in a top line-up for Tarmo Peltokoski’s first season as the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s music director.

Yo-Yo Ma will perform Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 with the HK Phil at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on January 25, 2027. The American cellist is one of the big names in the star-studded line-up for HK Phil’s coming concert season. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Incredible works of Wu Guanzhong reimagined in Hong Kong dance crossover

Featuring music by Cantopop star Ivana Wong, the Hong Kong Dance Company’s new cross-disciplinary production explores Wu’s visual language.

“Grand Dance Poem In Between – Wu Guanzhong’s Ink Odyssey” from the Hong Kong Dance Company reimagines Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong’s famous dots, lines and planes as dynamic movement. Photo: HKDance
Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Find classical music and opera boring? Hong Kong production aims to change that

A new production aims to make classical music accessible and engaging by fusing opera, contemporary dance, theatre and media art.

Obituaries

‘Bad boy of classical music’, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, dies at 81

Former child prodigy Michael Tilson Thomas led many of the world’s top orchestras, including 25 years with the San Francisco Symphony.

Music

A stroke paralysed pianist’s right hand. Now he wows crowds with just his left

Inspired by his music teacher, South Korean pianist Lee Hun now plays left-hand music only after a stroke paralysed his entire right side.

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South Korean pianist Lee Hun, who plays with only his left hand after his right side was paralysed by a stroke, is now preparing for a new challenge: his first joint performance with an orchestra at an international music festival next month. Photo: AP

How Japan’s kabuki theatre legacies are kept in the family

In the traditional Japanese art form, which featured in the Oscar-nominated Kokuho, names and skills are passed down through generations.

(From right) Kabuki actors Kikugoro Onoe VII, his son Kikugoro Onoe VIII and grandson Kikunosuke Onoe. Photo: AP
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Hong Kong Ballet brilliantly dances to Beyond, Queen and Depeche Mode

Hong Kong Ballet’s ‘Glam Rock’ triple bill was a feast of popular music and dance that showcased its dancers’ versatility.

Sexual harassment and assault

‘A system of slavery’: ex-geisha apprentice on the dark side of the tradition

Kiyoha Kiritaka says she left Kyoto’s geisha world after experiencing sexual harassment, physical and verbal abuse, and more.

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Art

A legendary opera singer on playing the ‘bad boy’ on stage

Bryn Terfel’s journey as one of opera’s most commanding voices, from singing at King Charles’ coronation to Verbier Festival’s inaugural China edition.

Bryn Terfel, the bass-baritone. Photo: Rolex/Elisa Haberer
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim, 22, wows the Hong Kong Arts Festival

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields put on a spirited performance with South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim and guest conductor Wilson Ng.

At 82, Monty Python’s Eric Idle is not slowing down

Eric Idle discusses Spamalot’s return to LA, his love for comedy and why being part of the Monty Python troupe ‘doesn’t make you brothers’.

Sadiq Khan

The world’s burning but ‘people just want to dance’, says Sadler’s Wells co-CEO

How do you make a cultural district out of a dumping ground for fridges? Ask the artistic director of Sadler’s Wells theatre in London.

Sir Alistair Spalding at M+ in Hong Kong. He is artistic director and co-CEO of Sadler’s Wells in London. Photo: Jonathan Wong
US, Israel war on Iran

Will the UAE’s art industry be a casualty of the Iran war? Experts weigh in

Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation programming adviser Toufic Maatouk shares why the Iran war doesn’t worry him. But not everyone agrees.

Lebanese-Italian conductor and musicologist Toufic Maatouk. Also the artistic programming adviser for the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, Maatouk believes that the Iran war will have only a limited impact on the UAE’s art industry. Photo: courtesy of Toufic Maatouk
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Chinese opera troupe’s retelling of ancient love story ends with a ‘brilliant’ surprise

At the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the new work ‘Red Wedding Bed’, based on the Liyuan opera classic, retells the tale of Chen San and Wu Niang.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | No heroes, no villains: a finely shaded Eugene Onegin in Hong Kong

National Theatre Brno’s Eugene Onegin at the Hong Kong Arts Festival centred on Tatyana and featured lush music and a minimalist set.

Music

Nicholas Tse, EXO among top music and art events coming up in Greater Bay Area

Jane Zhang concert, Art Week Shenzhen and French musical Don Juan also coming to Shenzhen, Macau and Guangzhou in March, April and May 2026.

Nicolas Tse plays guitar in a still from the music video to his new song, “Evolution”. Tse will bring his “Evolution Nic Live” concert tour to Shenzhen in March. Photo: Instagram/chefnicookies
Comedians and comedy

Making jokes in Hong Kong is a serious business

From TakeOut Comedy Club to Backstage Comedy and open mic nights, Hong Kong’s stand-up scene is growing, thanks to some dedicated producers.

Maitreyi Karanth’s one-woman show, “Maitriarchy”, was produced by Mohammed Magdi, who founded Backstage Comedy. Photo: Maitreyi Karanth
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s CCO plays sumptuous Mozart at Hong Kong Arts Festival

The Hong Kong debut of Gardiner’s Constellation Choir and Orchestra was impressive in its attention to detail and colourful musicality.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Stunning beauty and power in Hong Kong performance of Caravaggio

Roberto Bolle dazzled among a cast of seasoned and upcoming stars in this ballet about Caravaggio’s art and violent life.

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