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Classical music

Elim Chan, acclaimed Hong Kong-born conductor, returns home

She’s conducted cars for Porsche and led the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra – now she’s returned home for her first post-Covid concert

11 Nov 2024 - 11:15AM

What is former child star and ‘Voice of an Angel’ Charlotte Church doing now?

11 Nov 2024 - 4:00AM

Andrea Bocelli on new album Duets with Jennifer Lopez, Dua Lipa and more

8 Nov 2024 - 6:15PMvideocam

5 arts events to catch in Hong Kong this weekend, November 8-10

Digital art, the annual India by the Bay festival, choral concerts and a post-apocalyptic musical are among the highlights for arts fans.

7 Nov 2024 - 11:15AM

Kādal Kaḍal: Endless Love, a dance choreographed, directed and performed by Rukmini Vijayakumar (pictured), is part of the 2024 India by the Bay festival programme in Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy of India by the Bay

Review | A glittering turn from Elina Garanca in Hong Kong operatic gala

Showcase for mezzo-soprano’s vocal virtuosity sometimes came at the expense of musical purity, but Macao Orchestra impressed nonetheless.

31 Oct 2024 - 5:45PM

Why was Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin’s Hong Kong concert scrapped?

Hong Kong government says it cancelled Russia-born Kissin’s recital for ‘scheduling reasons’, yet his nine other Asia concerts will go ahead.

1 Nov 2024 - 12:08PM

Review | Deft conducting by Hong Kong’s Sharon Choa lights up Czech showcase

Sharon Choa draws inspired playing from City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong and oboe and harp soloists, until lack of balance lets them down.

28 Oct 2024 - 5:45PM

Harpist Katerina Englichova and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong under conductor Sharon Choa perform a work by Zdenek Lucas, part of an evening of mainly Czech music. Photo: City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong

This week in PostMag: Hong Kong is having a real music moment

We dive into Hong Kong’s current musical happenings, including the upcoming Freespace Jazz Fest where Antonio Sánchez will perform.

21 Oct 2024 - 4:18PM

How the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra transformed for a new generation

Former general manager John Duffus, in his memoirs Backstage in Hong Kong, recalls the challenges of leading the orchestra into the 20th century

18 Oct 2024 - 12:15PM

5 must-see performances in Hong Kong this weekend, October 18-20

Our top five picks include performing arts shows as part of HKPAX, a new ballet and a concert featuring American jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.

19 Oct 2024 - 8:22AM

A scene from Meeting In-Between Time, a City Contemporary Dance Company production at The Pokfulam Farm and one of the five best shows to see this weekend in Hong Kong. Photo: Yvonne Chan

Review | ‘Authentic’ Turandot by Opera Hong Kong well sung and directed

Jia Ding’s ‘authentic’ Chinese production of Puccini work sets the stage for some fine singing and acting, notably by soprano Bing Bing Wang.

15 Oct 2024 - 6:15PM

Louise Kwong (left) as Liu in Opera Hong Kong’s new production of Turandot. Photo: Opera Hong Kong

Follow the Mozart trail in Salzburg, Austria, birthplace of the genius

Stroll around Austria’s fourth largest city and take in the places where Mozart was born, lived, and composed and conducted music.

15 Oct 2024 - 4:15PM

5 shows to see in Hong Kong this weekend, from music to opera and dance

Catch some Italian opera, Chinese opera, dance, and Western and Chinese classical music in the run-up to the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo.

10 Oct 2024 - 1:15PM

Director on making Puccini opera Turandot authentically Chinese

Director Jia Ding explains why his Opera Hong Kong production of rare Western work ‘that talks about China’ has to be historically accurate.

16 Oct 2024 - 8:14AM

Detail from the set of Opera Hong Kong’s new production of Turandot. Designer Jia Ding is aiming for authenticity in his sets for Puccini’s only opera set in China. Photo: Opera Hong Kong

Review | Pianist Eric Lu revels in Chopin on Hong Kong recital debut

Lu, 2018 Leeds International winner, shows enough Baroque feel for Handel, is on surer ground in Schubert and comes into his own in Chopin.

7 Oct 2024 - 5:15PM

Chinese-American pianist Eric Lu performs at the University of Hong Kong on October 4, 2024. Photo: HKU Muse

5 great shows for arts fans in Hong Kong this weekend, October 4-6

A Chinese instrument masterclass and a Grammy nominated duo are part of a feast for music fans this weekend. And an art fair is back.

3 Oct 2024 - 1:45PM

Violinist becomes first from Hong Kong to win top international competition

‘I felt I was really in the moment,’ Angela Chan says of her prize-winning performance at the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Germany.

4 Oct 2024 - 7:45PM

Sheng vs didgeridoo? When 2 of the world’s oldest wind instruments went head to head

What happens when you put 2 traditional wind instruments from different corners of the globe next to a Western classical orchestra? Dylan Crismani’s concerto for Sheng and Didgeridoo, Coming Together, attempts to answer that sonic conundrum.

28 Sep 2024 - 12:45PM

Sheng player Loo Sze-wang, conductor Luke Dollman and didgeridoo player William Barton, at the Australian Residence, Hong Kong, ahead of a performance of Dylan Crismani’s concerto for Sheng and Didgeridoo, Coming Together. Photo: Eugene Chan

Style Edit: Rolex celebrates rising classical music talent at the Salzburg Festival

Cecilia Bartoli and Benjamin Bernheim are among the Rolex Testimonees who enthralled audiences in Mozart’s birthplace this summer.

19 Sep 2024 - 12:20PM

HK Phil’s new season kicks off with 24-year-old Tarmo Peltokoski

Named the orchestra’s music director from 2026-27, the young Finnish conductor begins a new season with a programme of Sibelius and Bruckner

2 Sep 2024 - 12:45PM

Profile | Dulcimer darling takes Chinese percussion instrument to new heights

Mantawoman, the social media phenomenon known for playing contemporary pop music on the Chinese dulcimer, talks about Yo-Yo Ma, studying in Beijing and their gender journey.

1 Sep 2024 - 5:34PMvideocam

Chinese dulcimer player Mantawoman on stage. Photo: Mantawoman

5 art shows and performances in Hong Kong this weekend, August 17-18

A Leslie Cheung musical featuring over 20 of the Cantopop star’s hits and a food-themed art exhibition starring young Asian artists are among our Hong Kong arts and culture event picks this weekend.

15 Aug 2024 - 11:15AM

Leslie Cheung performs at a concert at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in March 2000. Photo: SCMP

Bronte, Bizet, Nureyev, TS Eliot at Hong Kong Arts Festival 2025

Carmen as it was originally staged, Wuthering Heights as music theatre, Andras Schiff and his chamber orchestra, and rarely heard Beethoven are among highlights of the 2025 Hong Kong Arts Festival.

14 Aug 2024 - 8:30AM

Review | Cy Leo on harmonica teams with Hong Kong Sinfonietta to good effect

Orchestra and soloist were in sync for programme that included an animated Rhapsody in Blue, but without Leo the Sinfonietta were not tight enough in another Gershwin piece, and boring in Ravel’s Bolero.

12 Aug 2024 - 5:15PM

Being Chinese | Why must Chinese parents make children dread piano?

Music lessons are practically a rite of passage for Asian children but when forced, they can strip our kids of a lifelong enjoyment of music.

12 Aug 2024 - 5:42PMvideocam

Piano lessons are a rite of passage for many Chinese children, but how many continue to play as adults? Photo: Handout

Review | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Opus a fitting farewell to beloved composer

The posthumous album Opus is a journey through Japanese film composer Ryuichi Sakamoto’s half-century career, including music from The Last Emperor and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.

9 Aug 2024 - 4:15PMvideocam

Ryuichi Sakamoto at the 74th Venice Film Festival in Italy on September 3, 2017. Photo: AP

5 arts and culture events in Hong Kong this weekend, August 10-11

From harmonica extraordinaire CY Leo performing with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta to a celebration of the city’s neon signs, don’t miss these arts and culture events this weekend.

8 Aug 2024 - 3:15PMvideocam

Booking opens for new HK Phil season, including Peltokoski’s return

Hong Kong-born Elim Chan’s two programmes and new music director Tarmo Peltokoski’s return are among the highlights of Hong Kong Philharmonic’s 2024-25 season. Tickets went on public sale this week.

8 Aug 2024 - 11:30AM

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Classical music

Home to two renowned orchestras, the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and scores of other ensembles and players, as well as a magnet for many of the world’s leading performers, Hong Kong has one of the liveliest classical music scenes in Asia. Read previews and reviews of the biggest classical music events in Hong Kong, interviews with big players and tastemakers, profiles and news.

last updated:

9 September, 2024