Hong Kong Arts Festival

The 40th Hong Kong Arts Festival 2012
28 January - 8 March 2012

The Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) is Asia’s premiere performing arts event in which the best of Asian and local talents are showcased alongside top artists from around the world. The Festival offers a broad spectrum of programmes, ranging from classical fare to other innovative and stimulating art forms.

The upcoming 40th HKAF 2012 will be staged at 17 different venues spanning 45 days from 28 January - 8 March 2012. There are 166 performances in total featuring 38 ensembles or solo artists from overseas and 16 from Hong Kong.
Here’s a taste of what's on offer:

Special Event

World of Wearable Art (WOW): Get set for a jaw-dropping experience as top designers from all around the world send in their wearable artwork to this once a year show that is hosted in New Zealand and which is now, finally coming to Hong Kong. (29 January – 5 February)

Opera

Beijing Opera - A Tribute to Laosheng Master Ma Lianliang: To celebrate the 111th birthday of Ma Lian liang, master of the laosheng (bearded) role in Beijing Opera, the Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe will give three performances of his best works. (10 – 12 February)

Bavarian State Opera Così Fan Tutte: Mozart’s most popular comic opera is about the fickleness of love. The opera has been declared a jewel in the repertoire of one of the world’s leading opera houses. (23 – 26 February)

Music

Myung-whun Chung and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: Widely considered as the best in the world, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, under the baton of Myung-whun Chung with the highly gifted Janine Jansen as guest soloist, presents work by Bartók, Weber and Mendelssohn. (13 – 14 February)

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra: The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra makes its Hong Kong debut with two nights of beloved masterpieces from the Austro-German classical repertoire under one of today’s most sought after conductors, Daniel Harding. (3 – 4 March)

Theatre

Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord A Magic Flute: The always fascinating director Peter Brook has taken Mozart’s The Magic Flute and produced a thoughtful and charming work he calls A Magic Flute. (1 – 3 March)

Bristol Old Vic Faith Healer: Famed Irish playwright Brian Friel’s extraordinary and highly acclaimed Faith Healer through the story of Fantastic Francis Hardy, a faith healer who roams the British Isles, attracting the sick and desperate. (1 – 8 March)

Dance

The Hamburg Ballet: Kicking off this year’s Festival, The Hamburg Ballet performs two of John Neumeier’s signature pieces: Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler and A Streetcar Named Desire, promising a visual and musical treat. (31 January and 3 – 5 February)

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui TeZukA: There is unique dance theatre from Belgian Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui who presents the evolution of Osamu Tezuka’s most famous manga creations, including Astro Boy and Buddha, through dancing, video, martial arts and calligraphy. (17 – 19 February)

Check out full programme details and booking arrangements on HKAF website. Advance bookings will be accepted from 4 October 2011 to 25 November 2011. Counter bookings at all URBTIX outlets and HK Ticketing will start on 3 December 2011. Be sure to book early as tickets for many of the performances go quickly!

Website: www.hk.artsfestival.org