GE2023-09
Opera Soiree - Her Love and Life: Woman of the Demi-Monde
Have we ever wondered how those inhabiting the demi-monde * live and love, laugh, and die? After all, we share the same genetic makeup; they’re just as human as we are, and buffeted by the same forces that could change our lives. Perhaps, though, through interaction, we can better understand who they really are, what their world is like, and the nature of the barrier between us. Even fall in love? Or, are we destined to remain in two different worlds, and “ne’er the twain shall meet”? In this digital age of pre-canned (mis)conceptions and instant judgments perhaps it is better that we take a little time to understand them, face to face, and achieve greater empathy.
* Cambridge Dictionary: Demi-Monde - a group of people who live and behave in ways that are not traditionally accepted as normal or morally correct.
Here’s how you can try reaching out, through some great opera:
Meet three of the most mesmerising women of the demi-monde in the Western operatic repertoire:
#Session 1 – Madama Butterfly (14/10 (Sat); 15:00 – 17:30)
Ciao-Ciao-San (the quintessential outlier in her own society and times) in Giacomo Puccini’s heart-rending opera “Madama Butterfly”, based in Nagasaki and blending both Eastern and Western dramatic elements;
*Participants of the Book Club - Her Love and Life: Woman of the Demi-Monde would also join this session.
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?UEID=90150
Registration will start on GE Enrolment Day (7 Sep) 10:00am.
#Session 2 – La Traviata (25/10 (Wed); 18:30 – 21:00)
Violetta (the courtesan with a heart of gold), in Giuseppe Verdi’s sparkling opera La Traviata – a.k.a. “Lady of the Camellias”, based in Paris;
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?UEID=90152
Registration will start on GE Enrolment Day (7 Sep).
#Session 3 – Carmen (11/11 (Sat); 15:00 – 18:00)
Carmen (whose character best fits Capote’s description of “wild things”), in Georges Bizet’s colourful opera “Carmen”, based in Spain.
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?UEID=90153
Registration will start on GE Enrolment Day (7 Sep).
All three operas are loaded with bags of tuneful arias, and you can watch fascinating versions of them (with English subtitles), with an introduction by your host and in a casual and relaxing environment. You can even try them out one at a time to suit your interest and schedule.
Have we ever wondered how those inhabiting the demi-monde * live and love, laugh, and die? After all, we share the same genetic makeup; they’re just as human as we are, and buffeted by the same forces that could change our lives. Perhaps, though, through interaction, we can better understand who they really are, what their world is like, and the nature of the barrier between us. Even fall in love? Or, are we destined to remain in two different worlds, and “ne’er the twain shall meet”? In this digital age of pre-canned (mis)conceptions and instant judgments perhaps it is better that we take a little time to understand them, face to face, and achieve greater empathy.
* Cambridge Dictionary: Demi-Monde - a group of people who live and behave in ways that are not traditionally accepted as normal or morally correct.
Here’s how you can try reaching out, through some great opera:
Meet three of the most mesmerising women of the demi-monde in the Western operatic repertoire:
#Session 1 – Madama Butterfly (14/10 (Sat); 15:00 – 17:30)
Ciao-Ciao-San (the quintessential outlier in her own society and times) in Giacomo Puccini’s heart-rending opera “Madama Butterfly”, based in Nagasaki and blending both Eastern and Western dramatic elements;
*Participants of the Book Club - Her Love and Life: Woman of the Demi-Monde would also join this session.
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?UEID=90150
Registration will start on GE Enrolment Day (7 Sep) 10:00am.
#Session 2 – La Traviata (25/10 (Wed); 18:30 – 21:00)
Violetta (the courtesan with a heart of gold), in Giuseppe Verdi’s sparkling opera La Traviata – a.k.a. “Lady of the Camellias”, based in Paris;
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?UEID=90152
Registration will start on GE Enrolment Day (7 Sep).
#Session 3 – Carmen (11/11 (Sat); 15:00 – 18:00)
Carmen (whose character best fits Capote’s description of “wild things”), in Georges Bizet’s colourful opera “Carmen”, based in Spain.
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?UEID=90153
Registration will start on GE Enrolment Day (7 Sep).
All three operas are loaded with bags of tuneful arias, and you can watch fascinating versions of them (with English subtitles), with an introduction by your host and in a casual and relaxing environment. You can even try them out one at a time to suit your interest and schedule.
| Host: | Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生 |
| (Honorary Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU) | |
| Dates: | 14/10 (Sat), 25/10 (Wed), 11/11/2023 (Sat) |
| Time: | 15:00 – 17:30 (14/10), 18:30 – 21:00 (25/10), 15:00 – 18:00 (11/11) |
| Venue: | GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building, HKU) |
| Language: | English |
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 14 Oct 2023 | 15:00 - 17:30 | GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building, HKU) |
| 25 Oct 2023 | 18:30 - 21:00 | GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building, HKU) |
| 11 Nov 2023 | 15:00 - 18:00 | GE Gatherland 221 (MB221, 2/F, Main Building, HKU) |
Bio of Instructor(s) 導師簡介:
 | Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生 After graduating with first-class honours at HKU in 1973, Mr. Lai joined the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer. From 1985 Mr. Lai was almost continuously engaged in Sino-British negotiations on the future arrangements for Hong Kong and was appointed a Member of the Sino-British Land Commission (1991 – 1994). In late 1994 he was appointed the first 'local' Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Government. He left the civil service on 1 August 1998. Mr. Lai is an Honorary Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU. |