GE2024-06
The literary output of Shakespeare, the giant of English literature, has inspired many operatic adaptations over the centuries. Two of the most widely acclaimed operas are featured in this semester’s Opera Soiree:
Session #1: Romeo and Juliette
This story about the two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, maybe the most widely read Shakespearean play and has moved generations of young men and women over the centuries. One cannot but be moved by the sudden change of fortune, from the beauty of young love, first love to the deadly tragedy at the end. It is complemented here by a sparkling operatic production by The Metropolitan Opera of New York featuring top international soprano Diana Damrau, with plenty of pathos and superb arias such as Je Veux Vivre/ “I want to live”
Session #2: Macbeth
That horrible unravelling of greed, ambition, murderous betrayals and usurpation, stirred by the witches’ lethal brew on the Scottish moor, full of tension and pathos. But, was Macbeth entirely to blame, or was Lady Macbeth the evil inspiration behind the dastardly deed of regicide? This performance of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth (premiered in 1847), also by the Metropolitan Opera, New York (2014) and featuring top-flight Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, lets you decide - Una macchia è qui tuttora! / "Yet here's a spot"
Registration starts at 10:00 on 10 Sep (Tue).
Registration Session #1: Romeo and Juliette: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=96432
Registration Session #2: Macbeth: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=96434
Both operas featured are drawn from the Met Live archives, made available for screening at HKU courtesy of the Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia (FAMA). Both featured English subtitles. There will be a short, pre-screening talk by a guest speaker, who is a highly regarded professional opera singer on how to enjoy and what to look for the particular opera; please therefore arrive on time. If time permits there will also be a post screening round up with the guest speaker on your experience.
Host: Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生 (Honorary Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU)
Guests: Ms. Phoebe Tam (28/09) & Ms. Jessica Ng (19/10)
Dates: 28/09 & 19/10/2024 (Sat)
Time: 16:30 – 20:00
Venue: CPD-2.58
Language: English
Session #1: Romeo and Juliette
This story about the two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, maybe the most widely read Shakespearean play and has moved generations of young men and women over the centuries. One cannot but be moved by the sudden change of fortune, from the beauty of young love, first love to the deadly tragedy at the end. It is complemented here by a sparkling operatic production by The Metropolitan Opera of New York featuring top international soprano Diana Damrau, with plenty of pathos and superb arias such as Je Veux Vivre/ “I want to live”
Session #2: Macbeth
That horrible unravelling of greed, ambition, murderous betrayals and usurpation, stirred by the witches’ lethal brew on the Scottish moor, full of tension and pathos. But, was Macbeth entirely to blame, or was Lady Macbeth the evil inspiration behind the dastardly deed of regicide? This performance of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth (premiered in 1847), also by the Metropolitan Opera, New York (2014) and featuring top-flight Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, lets you decide - Una macchia è qui tuttora! / "Yet here's a spot"
Registration starts at 10:00 on 10 Sep (Tue).
Registration Session #1: Romeo and Juliette: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=96432
Registration Session #2: Macbeth: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=96434
Both operas featured are drawn from the Met Live archives, made available for screening at HKU courtesy of the Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia (FAMA). Both featured English subtitles. There will be a short, pre-screening talk by a guest speaker, who is a highly regarded professional opera singer on how to enjoy and what to look for the particular opera; please therefore arrive on time. If time permits there will also be a post screening round up with the guest speaker on your experience.
Host: Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生 (Honorary Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU)
Guests: Ms. Phoebe Tam (28/09) & Ms. Jessica Ng (19/10)
Dates: 28/09 & 19/10/2024 (Sat)
Time: 16:30 – 20:00
Venue: CPD-2.58
Language: English
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 28 Sep 2024 | 16:30 - 20:00 | CPD. 2.58, The Jockey Club Tower, HKU |
| 19 Oct 2024 | 16:30 - 20:00 | CPD. 2.58, The Jockey Club Tower, 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. |
 | Ms. Phoebe Tam 譚樂軒小姐 Phoebe Tam obtained her Bachelor of Music and Professional Diploma from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and her Master of Music from the Mannes College of Music in New York under full scholarship from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Tam has won multiple scholarships and local competitions in Hong Kong. She has recently reached the regional round of the 32nd International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, participating in the final rounds in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Tam’s operatic roles include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Mimi and Musetta in La bohème, Angelica in Suor Angelica, among many others. Tam has also appeared as a soloist in various musical works including Mahler's Symphony No. 4, Vivaldi's Gloria, and more. |
 | Ms. Jessica Ng 吳羿䝼小姐 An experienced soprano, Jessica performs regularly with MusicaViva; roles include Vitellia in Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito (upcoming, 2024), Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni (2022), the Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (2019), Adina in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (2017), Frasquita in Carmen (2016), the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Zauberflöte (2019), and Clotilde in Bellini’s Norma (2021). She also created the role of First Geisha in the world premiere of Elena Langer's Beauty and Sadness--a chamber opera directed by Carolyn Choa—in which she also covered the leading role of Otoko. |