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Two operas in a double bill, "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Pietro Mascagni and "I Pagliacci" by Ruggero Leoncavallo, will be staged in Hong Kong in January next year.
"Cavalleria Rusticana" and "I Pagliacci" have found continuous success ever since their premieres in the 19th century. These two sensational Italian verismo operas remain perennials at opera houses worldwide. They are often performed as a double bill because of the similarities they display, with both telling stories of jealousy, love affairs and murders. Because of the operas' emphasis on humanity, the works appeal to people regardless of time and geography. In addition, most of us have encountered two of the operas' pieces, Mascagni's "Intermezzo" and Leoncavallo's "Vesti la giubba".
The production is directed by Lo King-man and conducted by Lio Kuok-man, with the participation of the Hong Kong Virtuosi and the Opera Society of Hong Kong. The major characters will be played by international and local outstanding vocalists: mezzo-sopranos Janara Kellerman and Carol Lin; sopranos Louise Kwong, Kristin Sampson and Yuki Ip; tenors John Daniecki and Jeffrey Hartman; and baritones Grant Youngblood and Brian Montgomery.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and produced by Musica Viva, "Mascagni's 'Cavalleria Rusticana' & Leoncavallo's 'I Pagliacci'" (performed in Italian with Chinese and English surtitles) will be staged at 7.45pm on January 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday) and at 2.45pm on January 5 and 6 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $630, $460, $300 and $150 (the sight lines of certain seats priced at $150 may be restricted) are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A group booking discount is available; please refer to the programme leaflet for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_95.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Thursday, November 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:30
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