East meets west in 'Turandot' staged in HK

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Opera Hong Kong staged "Turandot" on Oct. 10-13 at Hong Kong Cultural Centre, captivating audience members with its innovative integration of Beijing opera elements in the Western opera.

Scenes from "Turandot" presented by the Opera Hong Kong. File photos

"Turandot," composed by the Italian maestro Giacomo Puccini, tells the poignant tale of Princess Turandot, who uses riddles to choose her suitors, ultimately succumbing to the warmth of love. The opera was staged in Hong Kong to commemorate the centenary of Puccini's death. 

This rendition marked a significant collaboration between the Opera Hong Kong and Chinese mainland creative teams. It was executive-produced by Opera Hong Kong's artistic director Warren Mok and directed by prominent playwright Jia Ding. The orchestra was conducted by Yuan Ding from China National Opera House, leading the collaboration of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, various local choirs, and actors from China, Russia, Ukraine and South Korea.

Scenes from "Turandot" presented by the Opera Hong Kong.

This production of "Turandot" stands out for its rich Chinese features. Notably, the melody of Chinese folk song "Jasmine" weaved throughout the performance, emphasizing the heritage and artistry of Chinese music. The costumes, set design, and performance style incorporated traditional Chinese elements to create a visually stunning experience.

The performances achieved a remarkable audience turnout, with several shows achieving over 92% capacity, culminating in enthusiastic applause after each show.

Vena Cheng, a board member of the Opera Hong Kong, expressed her hope that this collaboration would strengthen cultural ties within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She emphasized the vision for more performances across cities, fostering an appreciation for opera and enhancing international cultural exchange.