A tokenistic Turandot in Hong Kong

Turandot at Opera Hong Kong

Bing Bing Wang (Liù)

Veronika Dzhioeva (Turandot)

Ivan Gyngazov (Calaf)

By Dr. Anton D. Luiten, 12 October 2024

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“a memorably penetrating upper tessitura, especially during ‘Nessun dorma’”

Reviewed at Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong on 10 October 2024

Puccini, Turandot

Opera Hong Kong

Yuan Ding, Conductor

Jia Ding, Director

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

Opera Hong Kong Chorus

Veronika Dzhioeva, Turandot

Oksana Nosatova, Turandot

Ivan Gyngazov, Calaf

Andrea Shin, Calaf

Bing Bing Wang, Liù

Louise Kwong, Liù

Zhang Wen Wei, Timur

Wesley Lam, Emperor Altoum

Sun Li, Ping

Lin Zi Hao, Ping

Henry Ngan, Pang

Yao Zhong Yi, Pang

Chen Yong, Pong

Li Hao Ran, Pong

Apollo Wong, Mandarin

Zhou Jian Kun, Mandarin

Visually splendid telling of Puccini's Madama Butterfly in Hong Kong

Dr. Anton D. Luiten, 6th October

This production brought the work into the 21st century, at least visually, with a more modernised and digitally-stylised telling than their recent attempts.

***11

Hong Kong’s Roméo et Juliette a West Side Story wannabe

Alan Yu, 27th May

Opera Hong Kong’s Roméo et Juliette: a gigantic effort marred by confused artistic vision and irritating production choices.

**111

Opera Hong Kong’s modernised Salome leaves questions unanswered

Alan Yu, 12th October

Director Andrejs Zagars went for a multimedia presentation of Salome modernised to the 20th century, which had its moments, but left serious questions about deviations from Strauss’ score built around Oscar Wilde’s play unanswered.

***11

Hong Kong Opera's riveting tribute to Wagner in The Flying Dutchman

Alan Yu, 12th October

Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman is a tale not only about redemption through love, but also about the helpless plight of human beings in the face of wilful and vindictive supernatural forces. In the hands of Wagner, the mythical Dutchman, instead of being a collector of itinerant souls at sea, has become an intrepid adventurer condemned to eternal maritime wandering.

****1

A slick and enjoyable Tales of Hoffmann by Opera Hong Kong

Alan Yu, 25th May

Jacques Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann is a fine example of how the ridiculous can indeed be sublime. Three E.T.A. Hoffmann stories about otherworldly love affairs with defective femmes fatales, one of whom turns out to be a mechanical doll, connected only by the author’s gullible alter-ego as protagonist, scale the heights of the phantasmagorical.

****1

La Traviata with Opera Hong Kong: A commendable breakthrough

Alan Yu, 14th October

Verdi’s La Traviata is frequently listed as one of the most often programmed operas worldwide. Since it premiered in 1854, it must have greeted audiences around the world tens of thousands of times.

***11

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Dr. Anton D. Luiten

Dr. Anton D. Luiten is an educator and music critic. Based in Hong Kong, Dr. Luiten writes on western art concerts and reviews international artists. He also works for the International Baccalaureate as a lead educator, examiner and runs workshops on themes such as critical and creative thinking, and international mindedness. He is passionate about curriculum development, affording opportunities for students to nurture their talents, and educating the public on western art matters of historical significance as well as musical interpretation. His goal is to bring greater understanding and appreciation of music to the widest possible audience.