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Classical music

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Classical music
Home to two renowned orchestras, the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and scores of other ensembles and players, as well as a magnet for many of the world’s leading performers, Hong Kong has one of the liveliest classical music scenes in Asia. Read previews and reviews of the biggest classical music events in Hong Kong, interviews with big players and tastemakers, profiles and news.
Gustavo Dudamel is pictured at the David Geffen Hall in New York. The Venezuelan conductor will soon take the lead at the New York Philharmonic after 17 years in charge of the LA Phil. Photo: courtesy of New York Philharmonic
Music

Gustavo Dudamel on his enduring love of Los Angeles ahead of NY Phil move

The Venezuelan conductor shares how 17 years leading the LA Phil shaped him as he looks forward to a ‘super exciting’ New York move.

World of performing arts

Meet Daniel Harding, new LA Phil music director with deep Asia ties

Music

How sitarist Anoushka Shankar broke her creative block after the pandemic

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

‘I am hungry’: Elim Chan on taking the lead at the San Francisco Symphony

The Hong Kong-born conductor shares why she’s excited to lead the ‘velvety, warm’ SFS and how San Francisco feels ‘a bit like’ her home city.

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Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan will start as the San Francisco Symphony’s music director in 2027. She is the first woman appointed to the role in the orchestra’s 115-year history. Photo: Cody Pickens
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Soprano-pianist Rachel Fenlon wows in dexterous Hong Kong debut

Fenlon was the epitome of coordination in a near-flawless self-accompanied performance of Schubert’s Winterreise at Hong Kong City Hall.

Artist's Studio

From Carnegie Hall to Hong Kong, Charles Yang blends Ravel, Sam Cooke and blues – live on May 17

American musician and singer-songwriter Charles Yang talks going viral, his band Time for Three and his coming Hong Kong debut recital, Ravel, Rhythm & Blues.

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World of performing arts

Pioneering South Korean soprano Sumi Jo joins K-pop label, sings with Exo’s Suho

Sumi Jo opens up on great moments in her 40-year career, her new album Continuum, and why she signed with K-pop label SM Entertainment.

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South Korean soprano Sumi Jo performs at the Griminelli & Friends concert in Italy on November 20, 2019.
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this Mother’s Day weekend, May 8-10

From an artisan Mother’s Day market to food, fashion and music, check out our recommendations for things to do around the city this weekend.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

HK Phil’s compressed Ring cycle recording is Wagner made accessible

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s recording of Wagner: The Ring – An Orchestral Adventure is a symphonic narrative of just over an hour.

Robotics

Video | Sophia the robot makes classical music debut

The AI-themed concert, featuring a robot developed in the city, merged traditional art forms with innovation.

Humanoid robot Sophia performs during a rehearsal with the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Symphony Orchestra ahead of its 2026 Annual Gala Concert, in Hong Kong, China, April 29, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
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World of performing arts

‘Bad boy of classical music’, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, dies at 81

Former child prodigy Michael Tilson Thomas led many of the world’s top orchestras, including 25 years with the San Francisco Symphony.

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Sibelius’s Symphony No 2 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on March 24, 2015. The renowned conductor has died at the age of 81. Photo: Los Angeles Times/TNS
Art

A legendary opera singer on playing the ‘bad boy’ on stage

Bryn Terfel’s journey as one of opera’s most commanding voices, from singing at King Charles’ coronation to Verbier Festival’s inaugural China edition.

My Life

Jane Houng: musician, author – and mother of a murdered child

The founder of Becky’s Button tells how she channelled the grief from losing her daughter into tackling gender-based violence.

Fame and celebrity

Timothee Chalamet faces the music for saying ‘no one cares’ about opera, ballet

Performance groups around the world clapped back at the Hollywood star’s remarks, while a German minister invited him to watch a show.

US actor Timothee Chalamet poses on the red carpet at the Bafta Film Awards in London in February. Photo: EPA
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Stella Cole Quartet’s delightful delivery of jazz and film classics in Hong Kong

Smooth, playful, dramatic and teasing, the Stella Cole Quartet gave its Xiqu Centre audience a night of all-American nostalgic glamour.

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Stella Cole performs with the Stella Cole Quartet at the Tea House Theatre at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre, in the West Kowloon Cultural District, on March 3, 2026. Photo: Kenny Cheung / Premiere Performances of Hong Kong
On Our Radar

The Hong Kong Arts Festival is back. These are the shows to book first

Tradition meets tech as stages both real and virtual host dance, music and immersive magic.

US-China relations

Exclusive | Hong Kong pianist brings music – and a message of openness – to Washington

Fresh from his Cliburn win, Sham says music can bridge divides as he tours the US amid geopolitical tensions and decoupling debate.

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Pets

Do dogs like music? Experts weigh in on how songs affect our furry friends

Music seems to have a calming effect on dogs, but under what circumstances and which genre? Animal experts explain dog music dos and don’ts.

Music appears to promote relaxation in dogs and is even used to help train them. But animal behaviouralists say more research is needed to understand how much of an effect music has on dogs and in which situations. Photo: Shutterstock
World of performing arts

First, Ralph Fiennes played Eugene Onegin in a movie. Now he directs the opera

Fiennes made his opera directing debut this week at the Paris Opera’s ornate Palais Garnier with his unique take on Eugene Onegin.

On Our Radar

Beare’s Premiere Music Festival 2026 bids farewell to Hong Kong

As the curtain falls on the city’s principal chamber music event, the stellar line-up of musicians promises to send it off on a high note.

Chinese culture

World’s first Chinese rosewood cello stars in Hong Kong exhibition

Made over six months from a 200-year-old piece of Chinese rosewood, or huanghuali, the cello is now on show at Sheung Wan’s Liang Yi Museum.

The Chinese rosewood cello that stars in “The World’s First Huanghuali Cello” is seen at the exhibition at the Liang Yi Museum in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. The exhibition, which runs until January 28, showcases the masterpiece alongside other items made from Chinese rosewood. Photo: Jonathan Wong
World of performing arts

The new generation of talented leaders taking centre stage at Royal Opera House

Hrusa takes over from Antonio Pappano, Royal Opera’s music director for 22 years; Scappucci is first principal guest conductor in 30 years.

Music director Jakub Hrusa during a performance with The Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in London, in September 2025. Photo: AP
Performing arts in Hong Kong

7 of the best arts stories of 2025, including a new Labubu-style soft toy

From Wallis Simpson to prize-winning Hong Kong pianist Aristo Shum, here are 7 arts stories that really drew in the readers in 2025.

World of performing arts

Meet the Korean viral ‘dancing conductor’ who says he’s not actually dancing

Some conductors are visibly moved by the music, but Korean maestro Baek Yoon-hak takes that concept a step or two further.

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Music

Hong Kong classical concert to pay tribute to fallen Tai Po firefighter

Proceeds from the December 22 show, featuring some of Hong Kong’s biggest classical musicians, will go to the family of Ho Wai-ho.

The Cong Quartet are one of the big names who will perform at “Salute to the Brave, Soothing the Soul”, a charity concert co-organised by HK Phil’s first associate concertmaster Leung Kin-fung to pay tribute to Ho Wai-ho, the firefighter who lost his life in the Tai Po fire.
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Chopin Competition winner Eric Lu thrills in Hong Kong recital

The Chinese-American pianist’s all-Chopin recital, part of the HKU Muse Piano Laureate Series, was powerful, intense and emotional.

Eric Lu, winner of the 2025 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, played two Chopin-focused recitals at the University of Hong Kong on December 6 and 7. Photo: Eric Hong
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Violinist Midori works magic in Hong Kong concert double bill

Midori dazzled alongside pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute on November 27, two nights before sharing the stage with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

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Hong Kong

Who to watch at Clockenflap 2025

Hong Kong’s favourite music spectacular is back from December 5 to 7 – here are our highlights to pencil into your festival diary.

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