2. Bizet’s Carmen
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of French composer Bizet’s death, the Château de Versailles Spectacles, Bru Zane France, Opéra de Rouen Normandie and Palazzetto Bru Zane will present his enduring opera as it was first staged in 1875, based on the original production notes and designs.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, March 27-30
3. Nureyev & Friends – A Ballet Gala Tribute
Lam Chun-wing, the first Hong Kong dancer to join the Paris Opera Ballet, will be back in his home city to perform in this special gala dedicated to ballet’s most legendary star, Rudolf Nureyev. An exhibition of the late dancer’s costumes will be staged in the Cultural Centre foyer.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, March 21-22
4. The Waste Land by Amsterdam Sinfonietta and ISH Dance Collective
This collaboration, which crosses T.S. Eliot’s modernist classic with hip hop dance, promises thrilling live music and dancers who “climb high in the air and even walk up walls”.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, March 15-16
5. Insula Orchestra and accentus – Beethoven Wars: A Battle for Peace
French conductor Laurence Equilbey returns with her Insula orchestra and accentus choir to perform two rarely heard works by Beethoven, King Stephen and The Ruins of Athens, accompanied by a specially commissioned digital projection of science fiction and manga.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, March 26-28
6. Nagauta and Geisha: Treasured Traditions of Japan
To encounter the 300-year-old Japanese tradition of the geisha, you normally have to visit specific tea-houses in five districts of Kyoto. The arts festival brings the geisha to Hong Kong, where they will appear with musicians performing traditional Nagauta tunes both at Hong Kong City Hall and the more atmospheric Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill, East Kowloon.
Hong Kong City Hall Theatre and Nan Lian Garden Xiang Hai Xuan, March 4-8
7. Emma Rice – Wuthering Heights
Director Emma Rice transforms Emily Bronte’s epic story of love and revenge into an audacious and inventive piece of music theatre co-produced by Britain’s National Theatre, Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal.
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Lyric Theatre, March 26-29
8. Sir András Schiff and Capella Andrea Barca
Considered one of the world’s best interpreters of Mozart and Bach, pianist-conductor András Schiff and his chamber orchestra will perform some of Mozart’s best-loved music and six Bach keyboard concertos.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, March 18-19
9. Icons in Motion – Dance Legends: Cristiana Morganti, Louise Lecavalier and Mui Cheuk-yin
A rare opportunity to witness three true legends of contemporary dance performing their own work as soloists (in separate shows).
Hong Kong City Hall Theatre and Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre, March 08-30
Think 10-10-10 for an easy way to remember for when advance booking starts for the 2025 festival: at 10am on October 10, tickets will go on sale for the 53rd edition.
For further details visit https://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/programme. The full programme will be announced in October.