The School of Music of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, in collaboration with the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts, the School of Dance, and the School of Drama, will present the operetta composed by Lehár, The Merry Widow, at the Academy Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre on March 26, 27, 29 and 30. The story revolves around Hanna Glawari, a wealthy widow whose remarriage is crucial to save her country, Pontevedro, from ruin. Misunderstandings and romantic entanglements complicate matters, infusing the operetta with comedic intrigue and leaving the audience pondering the outcome. The Academy has invited conductor Vivian Ip and director Harry Silverstein to participate in the production.

Mr. Harry Silverstein, Director of The Merry Widow, is excited about this operetta, "The Merry Widow is the best loved of the turn of the century operettas. A beautiful evening of fun, frolic and the greatest waltzes written. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the talents of the students of the Academy, singing, dancing, and sharing happy comedy. A truly wonderful evening for all to enjoy."

Professor Nancy Yuen, Head of Vocal Studies of the School of Music, is greatly looking forward to this performance, "Be mesmerised by temptations, flirtations and passion in this timeless, captivating comedy by Lehár presented by our students from the Schools of Music, Dance, Drama and Theatre and Entertainment Arts in the last week of March 2024. Join the fun of Hanna Glawari’s (The Merry Widow) joie-de-vivre and our ‘Les Belles Grisettes’ high can-can kicks and be carried away by intrigue, twists and twines surrounding Count Danilo, amounting to, naturally, a Happy Ending!"

Academy Opera: The Merry Widow
Sung in English with Chinese surtitles
The production is suitable for audience aged 6 or above

Director: Harry Silverstein
Composer: Franz Lehár
Librettists: Viktor Léo, Leo Stein
English translator: Christopher Hassall
Conductor: Vivian Ip
Choreographer: Stella Lau
Dance Coach: Wang Yong
Ballet Mistress: Wu Fei-fei
Set Designer: Louis Chan Sing-yin
Co-Costume Designers: Bacchus Lee, Po Ng
Lighting Designer: Paul Wong Tsz-chung
Production Manager: Rachel Yip Zhun-huen

Main Cast: Alice Li Zixian, Hannah Bu Qiao, Jason Li Cho-shun, Jeff Chan Chun-fung, Aaron Kwan Cheuk-shing, Nicole Tse Wai-tung, Harriet Liu Hanrui, Gary Kam Ka-yiu, Michelle Siu Hoi-yan

Date/Time: March 26, 27, 29 & 30, 2024 | 7:30 pm  
Venue: Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Ticket Price: $65 - 150
Cast and Production Team list: https://www.hkapa.edu/event/academy-opera-the-merry-widow

About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own undergraduate and post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below; and since 2023, the programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera accredited by HKCAAVQ has also received PAA status for its post-secondary and undergraduate programmes.

Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006.
In the QS University Rankings announced in 2023, the Academy ranks 1st in Asia and 13th in the world in the Performing Arts category.