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Classical music

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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.
The Hong Kong premiere of Lunar Halo by Taiwan’s legendary dance theatre Cloud Gate will take place at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District on July 10, 2026. Photo: WestK
Performing arts in Hong Kong

12 must-see Hong Kong shows and arts events in 2026

From the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical to a show from Taiwanese dance company Cloud Gate, there’s lots on from now until December.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra pack a punch in back-to-back Hong Kong concerts

Music

Gustavo Dudamel on his enduring love of Los Angeles ahead of NY Phil move

World of performing arts

Meet Daniel Harding, new LA Phil music director with deep Asia ties

Gustavo Dudamel’s successor, who is an Air France pilot and mentor to young musicians, has agreed to a six-year contract with the LA Phil.

Daniel Harding coaches musicians from YMCG (Youth Music Culture The Greater Bay Area), an intensive music training camp and festival based in Guangzhou, China, during a rehearsal. Harding has been appointed the next music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Photo: Youth Music Culture the Greater Bay Area
Music

How sitarist Anoushka Shankar broke her creative block after the pandemic

Shankar, who is playing in Hong Kong on June 3, describes the creative process behind her three-part album Chapters and what’s next.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

‘I am hungry’: Elim Chan on taking the lead at the San Francisco Symphony

The Hong Kong-born conductor shares why she’s excited to lead the ‘velvety, warm’ SFS and how San Francisco feels ‘a bit like’ her home city.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Soprano-pianist Rachel Fenlon wows in dexterous Hong Kong debut

Fenlon was the epitome of coordination in a near-flawless self-accompanied performance of Schubert’s Winterreise at Hong Kong City Hall.

Canadian soprano and pianist Rachel Fenlon performs Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise” at Hong Kong City Hall on May 12. Photo: Premiere Performances of Hong Kong
Artist's Studio

From Carnegie Hall to Hong Kong, Charles Yang blends Ravel, Sam Cooke and blues – live on May 17

American musician and singer-songwriter Charles Yang talks going viral, his band Time for Three and his coming Hong Kong debut recital, Ravel, Rhythm & Blues.

World of performing arts

Pioneering South Korean soprano Sumi Jo joins K-pop label, sings with Exo’s Suho

Sumi Jo opens up on great moments in her 40-year career, her new album Continuum, and why she signed with K-pop label SM Entertainment.

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What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this Mother’s Day weekend, May 8-10

From an artisan Mother’s Day market to food, fashion and music, check out our recommendations for things to do around the city this weekend.

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Sapphire Shen (front), a lupus patient and founder of My Lupus Diary, is pictured at The Lupus Revolution, an inspiring awareness and fundraising event, in May 2024. This weekend, Shen will hold The Lupus Revolution Vol. 2 in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Performing arts in Hong Kong

HK Phil’s compressed Ring cycle recording is Wagner made accessible

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s recording of Wagner: The Ring – An Orchestral Adventure is a symphonic narrative of just over an hour.

Tarmo Peltokoski conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra’s Deutsche Grammophon recording of Henk de Vlieger’s Wagner: The Ring – An Orchestral Adventure compresses Wagner’s Ring cycle from 16 hours to just over an hour. Photo: courtesy of Universal Music Group
Robotics

Video | Sophia the robot makes classical music debut

The AI-themed concert, featuring a robot developed in the city, merged traditional art forms with innovation.

World of performing arts

‘Bad boy of classical music’, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, dies at 81

Former child prodigy Michael Tilson Thomas led many of the world’s top orchestras, including 25 years with the San Francisco Symphony.

Art

A legendary opera singer on playing the ‘bad boy’ on stage

Bryn Terfel’s journey as one of opera’s most commanding voices, from singing at King Charles’ coronation to Verbier Festival’s inaugural China edition.

Bryn Terfel, the bass-baritone. Photo: Rolex/Elisa Haberer
My Life

Jane Houng: musician, author – and mother of a murdered child

The founder of Becky’s Button tells how she channelled the grief from losing her daughter into tackling gender-based violence.

Jane Houng set up charity Becky’s Button to provide women at risk with a panic button after her daughter Rebecca Dykes was murdered in Lebanon in 2017. Photo: Bella Galliano-Hale
Fame and celebrity

Timothee Chalamet faces the music for saying ‘no one cares’ about opera, ballet

Performance groups around the world clapped back at the Hollywood star’s remarks, while a German minister invited him to watch a show.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Stella Cole Quartet’s delightful delivery of jazz and film classics in Hong Kong

Smooth, playful, dramatic and teasing, the Stella Cole Quartet gave its Xiqu Centre audience a night of all-American nostalgic glamour.

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On Our Radar

The Hong Kong Arts Festival is back. These are the shows to book first

Tradition meets tech as stages both real and virtual host dance, music and immersive magic.

The Czech Republic’s National Theatre Brno will perform Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin at the 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival. Photo: National Theatre Brno
US-China relations

Exclusive | Hong Kong pianist brings music – and a message of openness – to Washington

Fresh from his Cliburn win, Sham says music can bridge divides as he tours the US amid geopolitical tensions and decoupling debate.

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Pets

Do dogs like music? Experts weigh in on how songs affect our furry friends

Music seems to have a calming effect on dogs, but under what circumstances and which genre? Animal experts explain dog music dos and don’ts.

World of performing arts

First, Ralph Fiennes played Eugene Onegin in a movie. Now he directs the opera

Fiennes made his opera directing debut this week at the Paris Opera’s ornate Palais Garnier with his unique take on Eugene Onegin.

Ralph Fiennes attends the 2025 British Academy of Film and Television Awards in London, Britain, in 2025. The actor has made his opera directing debut with a cinematic take on Eugene Onegin. Photo: Reuters
On Our Radar

Beare’s Premiere Music Festival 2026 bids farewell to Hong Kong

As the curtain falls on the city’s principal chamber music event, the stellar line-up of musicians promises to send it off on a high note.

The Miro Quartet performs at the Beare’s Premiere Music Festival in 2024. Photo: courtesy PPHK
Chinese culture

World’s first Chinese rosewood cello stars in Hong Kong exhibition

Made over six months from a 200-year-old piece of Chinese rosewood, or huanghuali, the cello is now on show at Sheung Wan’s Liang Yi Museum.

World of performing arts

The new generation of talented leaders taking centre stage at Royal Opera House

Hrusa takes over from Antonio Pappano, Royal Opera’s music director for 22 years; Scappucci is first principal guest conductor in 30 years.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

7 of the best arts stories of 2025, including a new Labubu-style soft toy

From Wallis Simpson to prize-winning Hong Kong pianist Aristo Shum, here are 7 arts stories that really drew in the readers in 2025.

Hong Kong-born pianist Aristo Sham won the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June 2025. Photo: Jen-Pin Lin
World of performing arts

Meet the Korean viral ‘dancing conductor’ who says he’s not actually dancing

Some conductors are visibly moved by the music, but Korean maestro Baek Yoon-hak takes that concept a step or two further.

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South Korea’s “dancing conductor” Baek Yoon-hak uses his energy-filled moves to get the whole audience joining in.
Music

Hong Kong classical concert to pay tribute to fallen Tai Po firefighter

Proceeds from the December 22 show, featuring some of Hong Kong’s biggest classical musicians, will go to the family of Ho Wai-ho.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Chopin Competition winner Eric Lu thrills in Hong Kong recital

The Chinese-American pianist’s all-Chopin recital, part of the HKU Muse Piano Laureate Series, was powerful, intense and emotional.

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