Opera Fever 7 is another concert in Opera Society of Hong Kong's musical and educational programme in which talented singers and young professional singers pay tribute to Le French May 2019.  The wide-ranging repertoire of all-time favourite operatic arias in French / Italian and excerpts from musicals offers the audience a delightful evening.

This year, there will be 8 performer groups in the first half of the concert:

Fiona Fong (soprano solo)

Philip Hui (tenor solo)

Chie Jimbo (soprano solo)

Charlotte Liu (soprano solo)

Eddy Mak (baritone solo)

Michelle Tsui (soprano solo)

Simon Chan & Eddy Mak (duet)

Youth New World Children's and Youth Choir

The second half of the concert will showcase an abridged version of Offenbach's the Tales of Hoffmann with solo roles performed by outstanding local talents.  The Opera Society of Hong Kong Chorus will also participate in the performance under the baton of our guest conductor, Mr Hsu Wei-en.

Soloists for the Tales of Hoffmann (abridged version): 

Hoffmann - Wesley Lam

La Muse / Niklaus - Christy Li

Olympia - Rachel Kwok

Antonia - Michelle Tsui

Giulietta / Stella - Gladys Ho

Lindorf / Coppelius / Miracle - Pong Chung Lam

Crespel / Dapertutto - Eddy Mak

La Voix - Ruth Lau

Nathanael / Spalanzani - Butt Hiu Tung

Andreas / Cochenille / Pitics - Justin Ching

Luther / Schlemil - Simon Depiets

Hermann - Guillaume Huet

The 4th event of the Rising Stars series will be held on 16 Feb 2019 (Sat).  Young musicians in their teens will be given the opportunity to perform and enjoy music through this wonderful learning experience!

Programme:

Our young talented singers, Gladys Ho and Cyrus Cheng delivered a fabulous performance to a full-house audience.

After the AGM, the celebration dinner for Opera Fever 6 kicked in.  Society and chorus members, guests and friends all enjoyed the evening which was full of laughter and fun.  It was also a reunion opportunity for some of the 'old' society members! 

During this 3-day tour, the members from the Opera Society of Hong Kong and our singing friends took part in an Opera Appreciation Concert on 16 Dec 2017.  There were solo, duet, trio and chorus items as well as excerpts from famous opera work. They also participated in singing during the church services on 17 and 18 Dec 2017.

The Opera Society of Hong Kong is again invited to record the chorus part of a mega film. 《建軍大業》"The Founding of an Army" is a Chinese historical film featuring a star-studded cast of Chinese actors to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army.

The film will be released in summer 2017!

This year we have 14 groups of performers, including solo, duet, trio, ensemble and choirs. The rich program covered French repertoire as well as famous excerpts from musicals and opera. The OSHK Children's Choir and OSHK Chorus were also among the performing groups and received high acclaim. Finale of the evening: Phantom of the Opera Medley presented by the OSHK Chorus was enjoyed very much by the audience as well as the chorus members.

Date: 4 May 2017 (Thu) 8pm

Venue: Hong Kong City Hall Theatre

FB event page 

Course details

Many congratulations to the OSHK Children's Choir on their successful premiere performance in front of 160+ VIPs including the Chief Secretary, Mrs Carrie Lam and the Italian Consul General, Mr De Riu!

The Opera Society of Hong Kong 香港歌劇社 is very pleased to be invited by 廣州救主堂 to participate in an evangelical music tour from 24 to 26 September 2016.

This is a meaningful religious event and an exceptional experience for singers and non-singing participants!

Opera Fever 4Ever:

An Associated Programme of Le French May 2016

歌劇狂熱唱不停：法國五月節2016聯辦節目

19/05/2016 Hong Kong City Hall Theatre   8pm

Detailed information could be viewed on FaceBook

A delightful programme of opera arias and art songs performed by soloists and ensembles:

Susanna Leung, mezzo soprano, with Peter Leung, pianist
- Habanera from "Carmen" by George Bizet
- Caro Mio Ben by Guiseppe Giordiani

Tiana Chan, soprano, with Ivan Wong, pianist
- Ach, ich fuhl's from "Magic Flute" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Elle a fui, la tourterelle from "The Tales of Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach

Canny Chan, soprano; Flavia Ho, mezzo soprano; with Albert Kwong, pianist
- Barcarolle from "The Tales of Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach

Eddy Mak, baritone, with Abby Nga Yee Wong, pianist
- Eri Tu from "Masked Ball" by Giuseppe Verdi
- Avant de quitter ces lieux from "Faust" by Charles Gounod

Tiana Chan, soprano; Shirley Yeung, soprano; with Albert Kwong, pianist
- Flower Duet from "Lakme" by Leo Delibes

Flavia Ho, mezzo soprano, with Albert Kwong, pianist
- Voi che sapete from "Le Nozze di Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Tu lo sai by Giuseppe Torelli

Canny Chan, soprano, with Gracie Tse, pianist
- Allerseelen Op.10, No.8 by Richard Strauss
- Deh Vienni, non tardar from "Le Nozze di Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Susanna Leung, mezzo soprano; Eddy Mak, baritone; with Albert Kwong, pianist
- La Traviata Duet by Giuseppe Verdi

Shirley Yeung, soprano, with Mylene Chan, pianist
- Dove sono from "Le Nozze di Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Un bel di, vedremo from "Madama Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini

Finale, with all
- Santa Lucia, traditional Neapolitan song

Performance Dates: 12-14 December 2014 (Fri to Sun)
Performance Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Production: Musica Viva
Director: Lo Kingman
Participating Chorus: The Opera Society of Hong Kong
Chorusmaster: Raymond Fu

Yes, The Opera Society of Hong Kong last performed Turandot in 1996!

Turandot 2014 Rehearsal Schedule:
7:30-10:00pm Mondays and Thursdays from mid-October 2014 on (details to be confirmed)

Chorus Members' Basic Requirements:
Age: Children Chorus: 6- 12; Adult Chorus: 18 or above
Chorus Experience: For Adult Chorus: 3 years or more (with formal vocal training preferred)
Audition: (a) An aria of own choice; and (b) Sight-singing test

Interested singers please complete audition application form at:
http://tinyurl.com/operasociety-aud-140921

Application deadline : 31 August 2014
Audition appointments will be confirmed by email on/before 7 September 2014.

Performers

Gloves Handbell
Claudia Chan
Simon Chan
Veronica Cheung
Connie Ho
Lo Po Yan
Giuseppe Fu
Gladys Ho
Kar-kit Kwok
Jessica Ng
Shirley Yeung
Angelic Singers
Concert Choir of the Opera Society of Hong Kong, which will sing:
1. Stars by Eriks Esenvalds
2. J'entends le moulin (I hear the millwheel), arr. Donald Patriquin
3. The Battle of Jericho, traditional spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan
(Hear we sing The Battle of Jericho.)

Pianist: Patience Fung

Music Director & Conductor: Raymond Fu

Tickets: $500 (VIP), $180,$120, $80. Available at URBTIX.

Programme Enquiry:
Tel: 9024 3593
Email: hkoperasociety@gmail.com

The Opera Society Female Vocal Ensemble
Directed by Raymond Fu

Programme includes songs to be sung in competition - works by Latvian composer ˆZriks Esenvalds, Finnish composer Jaakko Mantyjarvi, Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, and songs in Chinese. This is a refreshing and resounding programme to be presented in a tranquil cathedral ambiance and surely not to be missed.

Our target is to raise HK$50,000 in sponsoring the Society, a non-profit making organization, as well as its passionate singers. This concert will not only showcase our choral group that is going to compete at the Female Vocal Ensembles category at the WCG, but will also include performances given by guest singers who are also our donors and supporters.

Please contact us if you are interested to join this concert as performers, donors and/or audience. Tickets at $500 (VIP) and $100 (free seating) are available now.

Ticket reservation and enquiry: 90243593.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/683360795063450

This AGM is open to all eligible members of The Opera Society of Hong Kong. Meeting documents have been sent to all eligible members through link on our AGM Facebook event. See you all at the AGM on 15 May 2014!

Programme

Lui Yiu Him
Chanson Triste by Duparc
"Come paride vezzoso" (L'Elisir d'Amore) by Donizetti

Agnes Au
"Deh Vieni, non tardar" (Le Nozze di Figaro) by Mozart
"Batti batti, o bel Masetto" (Don Giovanni) by Mozart

Kwok Kar Kit
"La ci darem la mano" (Don Giovanni) by Mozart
Musica Proibita by Gastoldoni

Li Si-lai
Plaisir d'amour by Martini
"Che faro senza Euridice" (Orfeo ed Euridice) by Gluck

Dominique Chan
"E' sgombro il loco..Un bacio un bacio ancora" (Anna Bolena) by Donizetti
Calypso by Benjamin Britten

Ricky Tsang
None but the lonely heart by Tchaikovsky
"Non piu andrai" (Le Nozze di Figaro) by Mozart

Gladys Ho
"E' strano! e' strano...Sempre libera" (La Traviata) by Verdi      

Chorus
Caleno Custure Me, an Irish love song
Act II Finale (Turandot) by Puccini

Accompanists: Patience Fung, Albert Kwong, Jeremy Leung

Programme

Rigoletto is an opera in three acts by the Italian genius Giuseppe Verdi, set to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play Le roi s'amuse by Victor Hugo.  Premiered in Venice in 1851, the work was Verdi's first international triumph and ranks among the most frequently performed operas in the world.  The protagonist of the tragic story is a hunch-backed court jester who encourages his master, the Duke of Mantua, to indulge in a licentious and lustful life until his own daughter, Gilda, falls victim to the Duke's seduction.  Rigoletto's plot to have his master murdered backfires and results in Gilda's death.  Verdi imbued this work with enchanting melodies, strong dramatic situations, powerful characterization and intense emotions. This special production by Musica Viva of Hong Kong features a team of world-renowned opera stars who have sung with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, Chicago Lyric Opera, Royal Opera of London and some of the most prestigious companies world-wide, performing with excellent young artists of Hong Kong.  The production is directed by Lo King-man and conducted by Lio Kuok-man.

Programme

Duet: "Sull'aria" from Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart
Shirley Yeung, Soprano and Jessica Ng, Soprano

"Connais-tu le pays" from Mignon by Thomas
Nancy Li, Mezzo-soprano

"Art is calling for me" from The Enchantress by Victor Herbert
"Think of me" from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Claudia Chan, Soprano

"Recondita armonia" from Tosca by Puccini
"Heidenroslein" by Schubert
Simon Chan, Tenor

"Je suis encor tout etourdie" from Manon by Massenet
"O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi by Puccini
Ng Yen Yen, Soprano

"Piangero la sorta mia" from Giulio Cesare by Handel
Lovina Hui, Alto

"Der Hoelle Rache" from Magic Flute by Mozart
Jessica Ng, Soprano

"Per me giunto" from Don Carlo by Verdi
"L'ultima Canzone" by Tosti
Li Yat Sing, Baritone

"Si, michiamano Mimi" from La Boheme by Puccini
Shirley Yeung, Soprano

"Pace, pace" from La forza del destino by Verdi
Pancy Wong, Soprano

"Amigos para siempre" by Andrew Lloyd Webber
All singers

Accompanists: Albert Kwong, Patience Fung

The Cast

Cavalleria Rusicana
Santuzza: Janara Kellerman (1)(3), Mezzo-soprano; Carol Lin (2), Mezzo-soprano; Louise Kwong (4), Soprano
Turriddu: John Daniecki (2)(3), Tenor; Jeffrey Hartman (1)(4), Tenor
Alfio: Grant Youngblood (2)(3), Baritone; Brian Montgomery (1)(4), Baritone
Lola: Melody Sze, Mezzo-soprano
Lucia: Cynthia Luff, Mezzo-soprano
     
I Pagliacci    
Nedda: Kristin Sampson (1)(3), Soprano; Yuki Ip (2)(4), Soprano
Canio: John Daniecki (1)(4), Tenor; Jeffrey Hartman (2)(3), Tenor
Tonio: Grant Youngblood (1)(4), Baritone; Brian Montgomery (2)(3), Baritone
Beppe: Alex Tam (1)(3)(4), Tenor; Christopher Leung (2), Tenor
Silvio: Nicholas Provenzale, Baritone

Performances (1): 4 Jan; (2): 5 Jan at 2:45pm; (3): 5 Jan at 7:45pm; (4): 6 Jan

Chorus of The Opera Society of Hong Kong
Chorusmaster: Raymond Fu

Synopsis

Cavelleria Rusticana

The story is set in a Sicilian village around 1890.  On Easter morning, Turiddu is heard singing about his beloved, Lola, who is now married to the merchant-carter, Alfio.  Santuzza, a young woman who has been seduced and impregnated by Turiddu, arrives at the tavern of his mother, Lucia.  Santuzza is desperate because of her heavy sense of guilt.  The dialogue of the women is interrupted by the entrance of Alfio.  Despite his outspoken pride and affection for his wife, Alfio also becomes suspicious of Turiddu's relationship with Lola.  While the villagers are attending mass, Santuzza encounters Turiddu.  She confronts him and hopes to win him back.  However, all is in vain.  Not only does Turiddu forsake her, she is also mocked by Lola who passes by.  Santuzza curses Turiddu as he enters church after Lola.  Out of rage and jealousy, Santuzza revenges by revealing the affair to Alfio.

The action is suspended by the idyllic Intermezzo.  After the mass, Turiddu and the villagers gather for wine at the tavern.  Alfio's refusal to drink with Turridu provokes a challenge to a duel of knives.  According to a long tradition of rustic chivalry, Turiddu takes the initiative with an embrace and a bite on Alfio's right ear, meaning the two shall fight till death.  Turiddu bids an impassioned farewell to his mother and asks her to take care of Santuzza if he does not return.  As the duel takes place in a nearby orchard, Mamma Lucia and Santuzza wait anxiously.  Blood-curdling shouts are heard in the distance.  A woman stumbles in, crying "Turiddu has been killed."

I Pagliacci

Prologue.   The story takes places on the Feast of Assumption in a Calabrian village in southern Italy around 1870.  Before the curtain rises, the actor Tonio delivers a prologue, telling the audience they will see a real-life drama.

Act I.   The curtain rises with the arrival of a troupe of traveling actors, greeted enthusiastically by the village folk. Canio, the head of the troupe, describes that night's offering.  When someone jokingly suggests that Tonio is secretly attracted to his young wife, Nedda, he vehemently cautions that he will tolerate no such thing.  As Canio takes off with fellow actor Beppe to join the villagers in a tavern, Nedda is left alone.  Worried that Canio might soon discover her affair with Silvio, one of the villagers, she sings of her longing for freedom.  Tonio sneaks in and tries to make love to Nedda.  She scorns him and repels him with a whip.  Tonio leaves, swearing vengeance.  Silvio arrives and persuades Nedda to elope with him at midnight.  The rendezvous is seen by Tonio, who seizes the chance to break the news to Canio.  The enraged husband bursts in, Silvio escapes in time and Nedda is threatened at knifepoint to reveal her lover's name, but she adamantly refuses.  Tonio advises Canio to catch Nedda's lover in the evening.  As Canio dons his costume and makeup for the play, he expresses his bitterness for the life of a clown - he must laugh although his heart is breaking.

Act II. As night falls, the villagers eagerly anticipate the featured comedy, Pagliaccio e Colombina.  In the absence of her husband, Pagliaccio (Canio), Colombina (Nedda) dismisses her servant, Taddeo (Tonio) and sets the table for dinner with her lover Arlecchino (Beppe).  Pagliaccio returns home unexpectedly and Arlecchino escapes through the window.  Taddeo mockingly assures Pagliaccio of his wife's innocence.  The parallels between Pagliaccio and himself fuel Canio's jealousy to no end.  No longer playing the comedy, Canio demands that Nedda reveal her lover's name.  Despite Nedda's futile effort to continue playing her part, Canio's blood-thirsted demeanor can no longer be restrained.  He stabs Nedda and then Silvio, who has revealed himself from the crowd and tries to intervene.  The audience, who has previously marvelled at the realism of the play, is left dumbfounded as Canio cries out "the comedy is ended."

Date: Monday, 29 October 2012
Time:  8:00pm
Venue: Concert Hall, City Hall, Hong Kong

Soloists: Nancy Yuen, Alex Tam, Brian Montgomery
Chorus and Orchestra of The Opera Society of Hong Kong
Conducted by Raymond Fu

Programme:

Favorite opera choruses from our repertoire:
Triumphal March from Aida by Verdi
Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly by Pucinni
Soldiers' Chorus from Faust by Gounod
Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore by Verdi
Witches Chorus from Macbeth by Verdi
"Va, pensiero" from Nabucco by Verdi
Finale "Im Feuerstrom der Reben" from Act II, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II
Finale from Turandot by Puccini

Chorus with soloists, children's chorus, guest soloists, and special opera excerpts:
"Avec la garde montane" from Carmen by Bizet
"Les voici" from Carmen by Bizet
Toreador Song from Carmen by Bizet
"Un bel di, vedremo" from Madama Butterfly by Puccini
"Si, mi chiamano Mimi" from La Boheme by Puccini
"Quanta e Bella" from L'elisir d'amore by Donizetti
"Cruda funesta smania" from Lucia di Lammermoor "Donizetti
Excerpts from Act I, Turandot by Puccini


Ticketing: $300   $200   $100
Tickets will be available at all URBTIX outlets, on Internet and by telephone from late September 2012.
URBTIX Internet Ticketing: http://www.urbtix.hk
Credit Card Telephone Booking: 21115999
30% discount for Students and Senior Citizen.
10% discount for purchase of 10 tickets or more.

Audition for new chorus members to join in our 20th Anniversary Concert (now closed).

"Opera Passion" 20th Anniversary Gala Concert reviews:
Review by Prof Liu Ching-chih, Hong Kong Economic Journal, 7 November 2012 (in Chinese)
Review by Prof Rupert Chan, Hong Kong Economic Journal, 15 November 2012 (in Chinese)

Children chorus singers (ages 6-12) are now invited to audition and join us on stage to perform in two programmes:
Avec la garde montane and Les voici from Carmen by Bizet, and
La sui monti dell'Est from Turandot by Puccini

Rehearsals:
28 Sep 12 (Fri) 6-7:30pm Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral
5 Oct 12 (Fri) 6-7:30pm Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral
12 Oct 12 (Fri) 6-7:30pm Fanny Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral
18 Oct 12 (Thu) 7-8:30pm Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral
25 Oct 12 (Thu) 7-8:30pm Leighton Hill Community Hall*
27 Oct 12 (Sat) 7:30-9:30pm Leighton Hill Community Hall*
(*Leighton Hill Community Hall, 133 Wong Nai Chung Road , Happy Valley, Hong Kong)

Performance:
29 Oct 12 (Mon) Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
(Call Time 6:45pm on stage, performance at 8pm)

Second Audition date: 25 September 2012 (Tuesday)
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Cultural Activities Hall, Sai Wan Ho Civic Theatre (2/F)

First Audition date: 11 September 2012 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Venue : Fanny Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong

Send in an audition request for your children now:
http://tinyurl.com/oshk-audition1209

Audition confirmation will be given via email.

Children Chorus requirements:
Age: 6-12
Audition will consist of singing a short song of own choice (please bring 2 sets of scores to audition). Accompanist will be provided.

Thank you for joining us!

Experienced singers are now invited to audition for chorus members.

Rehearsals on Tuesdays and Fridays starting 4 September with additional rehearsals after mid-October.

Audition date: 27 August 2012 (Monday)
Time slots: 7:30-8:00pm; 8:00-8:30pm; 8:30-9:00pm; 9:00-9:30pm
Venue : Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong

Send in your audition request now:
http://tinyurl.com/oshk-join-us
(indicate preferred time slot(s) in the Other Information box)

Send in deadline : 20 August 2012 (Monday) 
Audition confirmation will be given via email.

Chorus members' basic requirements:
Age: 18 or above
Chorus experience: 3 years or more (with formal vocal training preferred)
Audition will consist of singing an aria of own choice (please bring 2 sets of scores to audition) and a sight-singing test. Accompanist will be provided.

Chorus rehearsals will be held 7-10 pm every Monday and Thursday from mid-October on.

Our chorus audition will be held on 1 October 2011 (Saturday) 2-6 pm at GP2, 9/F, Backstage, Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon.

Apply online now.

Transportation: Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train
Accommodation: White Swan Hotel / Crowne Plaza Hotel City Centre

OPERA NIGHT: 7 May 2011 (Sat) 8pm
Tosca by Puccini, a joint production by Rome Opera House and the Guangzhou Opera House
Performers info (in Chinese)
Ticket Price: 2280 (VIP) 1680 1280 880 680 380 180 (RMB)
Venue: Guangzhou Opera House

Tour Budget: About HK$1,500 (incl. hotel accommodation, transport and meals), plus opera performance ticket (depending on the price category)

If you are interested, please call Ms Si-lai Li (94605319) to book your place and ticket for the tour, or ask for more information about this tour.

More info at Facebook event (account login required).

25 March 2011 - Notice is hereby given that the 2011 Annual General Meeting of The Opera Society of Hong Kong will be held on the following date, time and place:

Date:  Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Time: 7:30pm (registration from 7:15pm)
Place: David Kwok Room, St John's Cathedral, Central, Hong Kong

Meeting agenda, minutes of the last AGM held on 10 May 2010, and financial reports and accounts and other documents have been sent to all eligible members on 25 March 2011. Please contact our Honorary Secretary Margaret Sang at 94513166 if you have not received them. See you all at the AGM on 13 April 2011!

Producer/Director: Lo Kingman
Conductor: Lio Kuok-man
Chorusmaster: Raymond Fu
Performance: 21-23 January 2011 (Fri-Sun), including matinee show on 22 Jan (Sat)
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hal

Audition for L'Elisir d'Amore chorus members.

3 October 2010 - The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present Donizetti's well-loved romantic opera L'Elisir d'Amore (The Elixir of Love) in January 2011. The Opera Society of Hong Kong, Mr Raymond Fu, Chorusmaster, is the performing chorus in this full opera production. 

Experienced singers are now invited to audition for chorus members. Four performances will be held on 21-23 January 2011 (Friday-Sunday), including a matinee show on 22 January, at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.  More details.

Chorus rehearsals will be held evenings 7-10 pm every Monday and Thursday starting from mid-November.

AUDITION FOR CHORUS MEMBERS

Our chorus audition will be held on 18 October 2010 (Monday) 7-9 pm at GR1, 6/F, Backstage, Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon.

Interested singers apply online for audition now! Alternatively, you may download and mail in your completed application forms:

Application Form - Chorus for L'Elisir d'Amore (English)
Application Form - Chorus for L'Elisir d'Amore (Chinese)

Chorus members' basic requirements:
Age: 18 or above
Chorus experience: 3 years or more (with formal vocal training preferred)
Audtion will consist of singing an aria of own choice (please bring 2 sets of copy to audition) and a sight singing test.

** Application deadline: 11 October 2010.** Audition appointments will be confirmed by telephone. For enquiries, please call Ms Tse of Musica Viva at 69762877.

Thank you for joining in!

Date: 4 May 2010 (Tue)
Time: 8:00pm
Venue: Hall 5BC, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: $3,380, $2,280, $1,980, $1,280, $980, $680  via HK Ticketing

Tenor: Andrea Bocelli
Conductor: Eugene Kohn
Soprano: Sabina Cvilak
Flute: Andrea Griminelli
Special Guest: Delta Goodrem
Philharmonic Taiwan
Chorus of The Opera Society of Hong Kong
Chorusmaster: Raymond Fu

Programme includes operatic excerpts:  
Verdi: La donna e'mobile from 'Rigoletto'
Mascagni: Brindisi from 'Cavalleria rusticana'        
Cilea: Io son l'umile ancella from 'Adriana Lecouvreur'    
Verdi: Di quella pira from 'Il trovatore'
Puccini: O soave fanciulla from 'La Boheme'
Gounod: Kermesse Waltz from 'Faust'
Gounod: Il se fait tard from 'Faust'
Verdi: Brindisi from 'La Traviata'            

and selections from Andrea Bocelli's bestselling albums: 
Titomaglio: Voglio vivere cosi
Aniello: Vieni sul mar
Cottrau: Santa Lucia   
Lara: Granada 
Monti: Czardas
Denza: Funiculi, funicula
Sartori: Canto della terra

Experienced quality singers are welcome to apply for audition.

Andrea Bocelli Tour 2010 Hong Kong on Facebook.

Producer/Director: Lo King-man
Conductor: Lio Kuok-man
Chorus Master: Raymond Fu
Performance: 29-31 January 2010 (Fri-Sun), including matinee show on 30 Jan (Sat)
Venue: Concert Hall, City Hall, Hong Kong

Synopsis: Marie, found abandoned as a baby on the battlefield, was adopted and raised by soldiers. She is the darling of the regiment. When a Marquise tells the Sergeant that Marie is actually her niece and she must leave the regiment, the troops are heartbroken. The Marquise plans to educate and marry Marie in a manner befitting a lady of quality, but Marie wants only to return to her regiment and Tonio, the man she loves.

Audition for La Fille du Regiment chorus members.

Chorus rehearsals will be held evenings 7-10 pm Mondays and Thursdays starting from mid-November.

FIRST REHEARSAL & AUDITION

An audition for male chorus singers is scheduled at our first rehearsal on 12 November (Thu) 7:30-9:30 pm at GR2, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Come join us for the rehearsal and we’ll hear your voice afterwards.

Interested tenors and basses please register for the audition by sending a email to chorus@opera.org.hk and provide your (a) Full Name (b) Voice Part (c) Contact phone and email (d) Chorus experience/music background.

OCTOBER AUDITION

Our first-round audition will be held on 10 October 2009 (Sat) 7-9 pm at St John's Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Hong Kong. Interested singers are most welcome to apply for chorus audition online. Alternatively, you may download and mail in your completed application forms:

Application Form - Chorus for La Fille du Regiment (English)
Application Form - Chorus for La Fille du Regiment (Chinese)

Chorus members' basic requirements:
Age: 18 or above
Chorus experience: 3 years or more (with formal vocal training preferred)
Audtion will consist of singing an aria of own choice (please bring 2 sets of copy to audition) and a sight singing test.

Application deadline: 3 October 2009. Audition appointments will be confirmed by telephone in early October. For enquiries, please email Chorus Coordinator of the Opera Society of Hong Kong at chorus@opera.org.hk or call Ms Leung of Musica Viva at 97512834.

La Fille du Regiment will provide an exciting opportunity to learn, to perform, and to enjoy as a full-scale opera production. Thank you for joining in!

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), Madama Butterfly 2009 is produced by Musica Viva and directed by Lo Kingman. With soloists, orchestra, and Chorus of the Opera Society of Hong Kong, Carmon Koon, Conductor, and Raymond Fu, Chorusmaster.

Date: 2-4 January 2009 (Fri-Sun)
Time: Jan 2 at 7:30pm, Jan 3 at 7:30pm, Jan 4 at 2:30pm and Jan 4 at 7:30pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Tickets: $600, 450, 300, 120

More details on concert at LCSD website.

Audtion for Madama Butterfly chorus members.

A World Christmas will offer a truly special program of music from different parts of the world. There's African drumming, music with Latin American beat, sacred songs from Argentina and carols from France, USA, Wales and Spain. Not to be missed, of course, will be the Hallelujah chorus and well-loved carols that the audience will also be singing in!

The Opera Society has sung in the concerts Messiah in the Park in 2005 and Season's Greetings in the Park in 2006. This year, we are singing 'A World Christmas' together with the Hong Kong Children's Chorus, soloists Yuki Ip, soprano, Carol Lin, alto, David Quah, tenor, Apollo Wong, bass, with Angelita Li, vocal, Lung Heung-wing and Mark Lung, percussion, and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, Colin Touchin, conductor.

The Chorus of the Opera Society of Hong Kong will perform the Latin American mass Misa Criolla'by the Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez for tenor, chorus, and orchestra and some newly arranged Christmas songs. The concert will be recorded and televised on Christmas Day.

Chorus rehearsals will be held 7:30-10:00 pm Mondays and Thursdays starting from the end of October.

Chorus members' basic requirements:
Age: 18 or above
Chorus experience: 3 years or more (with formal vocal training preferred)
Audtion will consist of singing an aria of own choice and a sight singing test.

Audition will be held on Sunday 26 October 2008, at 7:30-10 pm, at Rehearsal Room, Kwai Tsing Theatre, 12 Hing Ning Road, Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong.

Madama Butterfly 2009 will provide an exciting opportunity to learn, to perform, and to enjoy as a full-scale opera production. Interested singers are most welcome to apply for chorus audition online NOW.

Alternatively, you may download and mail in your completed application forms:

Application Form - Chorus for Madama Butterfly (English)
Application Form - Chorus for Madama Butterfly (Chinese)

Application deadline: 22 October 2008. Audtion appointment will be confirmed by telephone. For enquiries, please call Shirley Yeung at 90243593.

23 April 2008 - La Perichole is a French operetta based on a piece written by Offenbach and staged extravagantly by Jerome Savary, a French theatre director, scriptwriter, and actor who widened the popularity of music theatre in France through his special blending of the opera, operetta, and musical comedy.

A Le French May 2008 opera program directed by Jerome Savary. With Marie-Stephane Bernard as La Perichole, Marc Laho as Piquillo, Chorus of the Opera Society of Hong Kong, Ariele Zanini, piano, and The Hong Kong Sinfonietta conducted by Jereme Pillement. Performed in French with English and Chinese subtitles.

Date: 15-17 May 2008 (Thurs-Sat)
Time: 8:00 pm
Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets: $620 $480 $320 $190, available in all URBTIX outlets

2 April 2008 - Notice is hereby given that the 2008 Annual General Meeting of The Opera Society of Hong Kong will be held on 24 April 2008

Date: Thursday, 24th April 2008
Time: 9:00 pm (registration at 8:30 pm)
Place: Fanny Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral, Central, Hong Kong

Meeting agenda, minutes of the last AGM held on 19th April 2007, and audited financial documents have been mailed to all eligible members on 2nd April 2008. Please contact secretary Margaret Sang at 94513166 if you do not receive them in the coming week.

8 November 2007 - All Opera Society members, friends and family are welcome to join us on Saturday, 24 November 2007 at a special poolside BBQ party. Come celebrate the Opera Society's 15th anniversary and the conclusion of our Haydn's Die Schopfung (The Creation) concert!

Programme:
2:00-6:00 pm Games: swimming, mahjong, karaoke, tennis, cyberbar, billiard, sauna (advanced booking through Li Si-lai is required; check charges from the website of the venue http://www.officersclubcsd.com.hk)
6:30-9:30 pm Poolside BBQ Buffet dinner, games, dance, gifts, LUCKY DRAW.

Cost:
Chorus Members (The Creation) $100, others $200 (2 non-alcoholic drinks included). Payment must be made before the party and no refund if no show)

Time and Place:
Date: 24 November 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 2:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Venue: Officers' Club, Correctional Services Department (No, you don't get detained!)
Address: 51 Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley, Hong Kong  (view map)
Tel: 28131105
Website: http://www.officersclubcsd.com.hk
Public transportation: see http://www.csd.gov.hk/print/english/hkcsm/hkcsm_transport.html
Free parking for drivers (please send car number to Li Si-lai).

Deadline for registration: 17 November 2007 (Saturday)

Contact person: Li Si-lai 94605219; 28918997 (fax); lsledcc@hotmail.com

**Donations of prizes for the lucky draw are welcome!**

20 July 2007 - This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Opera Society of Hong Kong.  We shall commemorate this milestone year by presenting a concert at the City Hall on 20 November 2007:

The Opera Society of Hong Kong 15th Anniversary Concert
Die Schopfung (The Creation)
by Joseph Haydn
(to be sung in German)

Date: Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Time:  8 pm
Venue: Concert Hall, City Hall, Hong Kong

Soloists:
Anna-Clare Monk (Soprano)
Sam Kan (Tenor)
Kewei Wang (Baritone)

Chorus and Orchestra of The Opera Society of Hong Kong 
Conducted by Raymond Fu

See CONCERT POSTER for more details and ticket information.  Click here for soloist and conductor biographies on concert flyer.

(Our 15th Anniversary Concert is presented under the rental subsidy scheme of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Support by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong, are also acknowledged.)

14 July 2007 - All Opera Society members are cordially invited to perform at our 15th anniversary celebration concert on Tuesday, 20 November 2007.

We'll be singing
Die Schopfung (The Creation) by Joseph Haydn
with soloists and orchestra at the Concert Hall, City Hall, Hong Kong.

2 November 2007 Update - If you are a member of the Opera Society of Hong Kong, you can place a special message in the concert house programme by becoming a member sponsor of the concert. Join your fellow members in stamping your mark at this milestone celebration concert event! Help bring this concert successfully to our audience and the general public!

Opera Society member sponsorship details and response form.

Check out also Concert Sponsorship details for companies, and organizations.

Our Hon Secretary Margaret has kindly arranged sending flowers to the hospital on behalf of the Society, and she will send the invoice to Herbert for reimbursement, ha ha!

3 May 2007 - The Opera Society of Hong Kong presented a charity concert with a special program From Opera to Musical featuring favorite choruses from operas by Puccini, Verdi, Wagner, famous opera ensembles from works by Bizet, Donizetti, Delibes, and popular arias and songs by guest soloists from operas by Mozart, Lehar, Purcell, Offenbach and from musicals by Claude Michelle Schoenbert (Les Miserables) and Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde) and other works.

Concert poster.
Full Concert Program (Acrobat pdf, 669 KB).
View photos at concert and rehearsals.

3 May 2007 (Thursday) at 8:00 pm
St. John's Cathedral, Garden Road, Central
Chorus of the Opera Society of Hong Kong
Guest soloists Katusha Tsui-Fraser, Soprano, and David Quah, Tenor
Chamber Orchestra of the Opera Society of Hong Kong
Conductor: Raymond Fu

Concert Reception with snacks and drinks served at Li Hall, 7:15 pm.

Co-organized with Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong and Rotary Club of City Northwest Hong Kong.

Support of this charity concert through sponsorship of the Rotary RainLily Project - with objectives to educate awareness on sexual violence issues and to enhance the awareness of the services of the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women and Rotary International.

Individual Sponsorship: $250 with one complimentary concert ticket and invitation to concert reception.

More information on Rotary RainLily Project and sponsorship.

Chorus members: Contact Shirley Fu at shirley@opera.org.hk for detailed schedules.

19 April 2007 - Our 2007 AGM was held following a rehearsal for the Rotary RainLily Concert. Attending members enjoyed an evening of singing, fellowship, and delicious snacks.

See photos from AGM 2007.

26 March 2007 - Notice is hereby given that the 2007 Annual General Meeting of The Opera Society of Hong Kong will be held on 19 April 2007:

Date: Thursday, 19th April 2007
Time: 8:30 pm
Place: Fanny Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral, Central, Hong Kong

Meeting agenda, minutes of the last AGM, and audited financial documents are being mailed to all eligible members on 28 March 2007. Please contact secretary Margaret Sang at 94513166 if you do not receive them in the coming week.

20 March 2007 - The Opera Society of Hong Kong has received a special offer for our members on tickets to the debut performance of soprano Renee Fleming in Hong Kong with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 30 and 31 March 2007.

Renee Fleming is on her Asian tour giving concerts in Southeast Asia and China. The programme on 30 and 31 March in Hong Kong includes Richard Strauss's serene Four Last Songs, of which Renee Fleming is an acclaimed modern interpreter. HKPO Conductor Laureate David Atherton leads this all-Strauss programme which starts in the somber reflections of Metamorphosen, written following the bombing of Munich in 1944, and ends with the carefree, playful pre-war work Der Rosenkavalier. Pre-concert booking by 26 March 2007 required. Interested members please contact Shirley Fu at shirley@opera.org.hk for more details.

23  January 2007 - With our Christmas eve concert, our Boxing Day party, and the new year just behind us, the Executive Committee has quickly met on 22 January - over a sumptuous supper hosted by Li Si-lai and and her endeared family (thanks Si-lai, Stanley and Jonathan!) - and fixed the dates for major concert events in this anniversary year.

We plan to have our "From Opera to Musical" charity concert on Wednesday, 25 April 2007* at the St. John's Cathedral and our 15th Anniversary Concert on Tuesday, 20 November 2007, at the Concert Hall, City Hall, Hong Kong. Please mark these dates for now on your diary for these great opportunities to sing in this special anniversary year, and watch here for further announcements on the details on these concerts. Have a wonderful year ahead!

View photo of New Year Supper at Si-lai's.

* 24 January 2007 Update - We have confirmed with St. John's Cathedral the date Thursday 3 May 2007 for the "From Opera to Musical" charity concert. Details on rehearsal schedules will be sent out to all members shortly.

Photos now available at: http://www.opera.org.hk/photo/photos.php?abid=7

27 November 2006 - Party Announcement:

Come join us at our Christmas party on Boxing Day at Stanley to celebrate the festivities amidst our winter concerts.

Date: Tuesday 26 December 2006 (Boxing Day)
Venue: Officers' Club, Correctional Services Department
51, Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley, HK.
Tel.: 28131105

Programme:
2--6pm Games: Mah-jong, karaoke, tennis, cyberbar, billiard, sauna (advance booking through Li Si-lai is required; charges: check info at club website)

6:30--9:30pm BBQ Buffet dinner, carols, performance, games, dance, gifts, lucky draw

Cost : Society Members $100, others $200 (2 non-alcoholic drinks included) Please book and pay before the party and no refund if no show.

Free parking ( car numbers to Li Si-lai )
Public transportation info.

Deadline for registrationn : Sunday 10 December 2006
Function will be cancelled if fewer than 30 persons pay up.

Contact person : Li Si-lai at 94605219 or fax 28918997 or email at lsledcc@hotmail.com

The Chorus of the Opera Society of Hong Kong sang Vivaldi's Gloria in D, RV589, and Christmas carols, and violinist Huang Mengla performed Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Op. 8, with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong. Guest conductor Johnny Poon.

Soloists: Yuki Ip, soprano; Carol Lin, mezzo-soprano.

200-member combined choir from:
Wah Yan College Kowloon Boys' Choir
Diocesan Girls' School Choir
HKIEd Choir
Carmel Pak U Secondary School Choir
The Learners Chorus
The Singchronizers

RTHK Radio 4's "Seasons Greetings in the Park" celebrate X'mas with star violinist Huang Mengla and 300 singers and musician, RTHK Press Release, December 2006

PHOTOS - taken by chorus members, friends and family members in the audience.

Concert report and audience responses in Finemusic, February 2007

The Chorus of Opera Society of Hong Kong has also sung the RTHK 4 open-air concert Messiah in the Park on Christmas eve 2005 at the Hong Kong Park.

23 November 2006 - The Opera Society of Hong Kong has been invited to perform at the Venetian Night project with the following details:

Repertoire (from memory):
- 'Boat song' from the Tales of Hoffmann by Offenbach
- 'Agnus Dei' and 'In Paradisum' from Requiem by Faure
- Pavane by Faure

Rehearsals start from November 29, 2006.
1. Nov 29 (Wed) 7:45-10pm [Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral]
2. Dec 7 (Thu) 7-8-pm [Harold Smyth Room, SJC]
3. Dec 12 (Tue) 8-10pm [with orchestra, venue to be confirmed]
4. Dec 13 (Wed) 7-10pm [at Bethanie, with orchestra]

Please contact Shirley Fu at shirley@opera.org.hk for more information and to confirm your participation in this project.

24 July 2004 - We shared our fun of members' singing operatic extracts and choral pieces on one fine Saturday afternoon at our Wanchai office.

View photos.

Dates: Every Tuesday commencing 6 July 2004
Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm (2 hrs x 12 lessons)
Total learning hours: 24
Medium of instruction: Mainly in English

Venue: The Opera Society Studio, Rm 1102, On Hong Commercial Building, 145
Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, HK.

Fees: (depending on no of participants)
* Maximum intake per class: 15 (first-come-first-serve)
* If enrollment is less than 10, the class will be cancelled.
* For no of enrollment falls between 11 to 14, tuition fees will be
calculated pro rata and exact fare will be announced after confirmation of
registration.

Registration:
1. Interested members should first register through email on or before 25 June 2004.
2. Registered members will be notified of exact amount of tuition fees on 28 June 2004.
3. Enrollment will only be confirmed upon receipt of the tuition fees on or before 3 July 2004.

Monica Yu Ho Ming
Monica Yu Ho Ming has obtained her Bachelor of Musical Art degree from the University of Western Ontario, Canada in 2003. During her course of study at the faculty, she was under the vocal instruction of Elizabeth Peters and Theresa Thibodeau. Monica also continued to study French Language and Culture at a post-graduate level; she obtained her French Proficiency Certificate from Trois-Pistole French Language School, Quebec, Canada in 2002. She has been working as a Private French tutor for beginners and high school students since then. She was the language coach for the Hong Kong Opera Society Chorus in the recently-produced opera "Samson and Delilah." Currently, she is teaching Music and French at a local secondary school in Hong Kong.

Soloists: Lea Woods Friedman, Soprano; Meagan Miller, Soprano; Alexandra Sapan, Soprano; Elizabeth Batton, Mezzo-Soprano; Warren Wok, Tenor; Mark Thomsen, Tenor; Paul Armin Edelmann, Baritone; Peter Edelmann, Baritone; Brian Jauhiainen, Bass; Victor Von Halem, Bass

Chrous of The Opera Society of Hong Kong, Raymond Fu, Chorusmaster.
International Orchestra of Italy, Francesc Bonnin, Conductor

Recording of compositions based on ancient poems and texts and songs arranged for choruses by contemporary Hong Kong composers:

你的夢
秋夕
草茵上
啊！向日葵
送友人
行路難
天淨沙
黃鶴樓
雨霖鈴
聲聲慢
虞美人
如夢令
泰山
A Cheerful Welcome
Pity for Mary
Pleasure It is
大江東去

Hugo CD MLW3105.