Shatin Town Hall |The Land of Smiles by HKGO: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue Beyond Borders

Description

Composed by Franz Lehár in 1929, “The Land of Smiles” is a rare operetta steeped in Chinese allure, and has been staged across the world for nearly a century. HKGO’s production takes a contemporary lens to this beloved classic – weaving together exquisite music, multilingual storytelling, and ethereal stage design to present a grand cultural dialogue beyond borders.

A World-Class Production

Produced by Dongjian Gong and conducted by Maestro Pierre Vallet of the Metropolitan Opera, this production brings together elite vocalists from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, alongside the Hong Kong Grand Opera Chorus and Hong Kong Grand Opera Orchestra, breathing new life into this classic through refined musical interpretation.

The Magic of Multilingual Storytelling

Directed by Yankov Wong, the production seamlessly weaves German singing with dialogue in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. This bold yet organic interplay of languages not only preserves the lyrical essence of the original score, but also allows cultural encounters and character tensions to unfold with striking clarity – inviting audiences to both understand and feel.

Eastern Aesthetics

From magnificent costumes to exquisite set design, every detail is meticulously crafted to evoke the depth and grandeur of Eastern heritage through a contemporary lens, creating a poetic and romantic landscape that lingers in the heart.