Bizet's Carmen Opera
Opera Hong Kong and Le French May Arts Festival proudly present a brand new production of Georges Bizet's immortal masterpiece "Carmen" at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from May 7 to 10, 2026. This innovative production reimagines the classic opera by setting it in the vibrant, transformative 1970s Hong Kong, bringing a fresh urban perspective to this timeless work.
The story of Carmen, with its themes of passion, freedom, and fatality, is reimagined in this production that captures the spirit of a changing Hong Kong. As one of the most performed operas in the world, Bizet's Carmen stands as an almost irreplaceable presence in opera history, now brought to life in a uniquely Hong Kong context.
This production, performed in French with Chinese and English surtitles, runs approximately 3 hours with one intermission. The performances will take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 PM, with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 PM.
Tickets are available in various price categories: $1,280, $1,080, $880, $680, making this world-class operatic experience accessible to diverse audiences. Tickets have been on sale since February 24 at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticket dispensers, online, mobile ticketing app, and telephone booking hotline.
TheatreDonizetti's L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) Opera 2026
Hong Kong Opera is bringing Donizetti's beloved comic opera *L'elisir d'amore* to the stage this August at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.
🎭 Directed by internationally acclaimed director Tong Sun Sun, this semi-staged production offers an immersive experience where the orchestra and conductor perform alongside the singers, allowing audiences to feel the full power of live orchestral music combined with stunning vocal artistry.
This marks the third collaboration between director Tong and Hong Kong Opera, following the success of *The Merry Widow* and *The Abduction from the Seraglio*. Known for her innovative vision and ability to weave local cultural elements into productions, Tong previously incorporated Cantonese dialogue in *The Merry Widow* to great acclaim.
*L'elisir d'amore* blends romance, humor, and unforgettable melodies into an emotionally resonant evening of entertainment. Featuring talented local opera singers, this production promises to captivate both seasoned opera lovers and first-time audiences alike.
📅 Dates: August 14–15, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall
🎟 Tickets: HK$200 / $300 / $400 / $500
🎫 Public sale starts: June 9, 2026, 10:00 AM via URBTIX
TheatreCAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld
Europe's best-known live horse theatre finally lands in Asia — and Hong Kong gets the first stop. CAVALLUNA – Gate to the Otherworld takes over Kai Tak Arena with 54 horses, riders, dancers and a full theatrical set, turning the arena floor into a fantasy world rather than a conventional equestrian display.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is exclusive presenting partner and cultural host, tying the run to its 2026 Year of the Horse programme. On stage: Andalusians, Friesians, Lusitanos, mini ponies and more; the Hungarian Post (a rider standing across two horses while driving others), liberty work without reins, and trick riding mixed with original music, acrobatics and oversized scenery. The story follows young sorceress Meerin as she is driven from her people, hunted for her magic, and has to trust herself enough to step through the Gate.
Event details:
Dates: 8 September & 10–13 September 2026
Sessions: 8 Sep 7:00 PM; 10 Sep 7:00 PM; 11 Sep 3:00 PM & 8:00 PM; 12 Sep 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM; 13 Sep 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Venue: Kai Tak Arena, Kai Tak Sports Park, 38 Shing Kai Road, Kowloon City
Age: Suitable for all ages
Tickets: HK Ticketing (official partner) https://hkt.hkticketing.com/en/#/allEvents/detail?projectId=50000001125001 ; Ticketflap https://www.ticketflap.com/cavalluna
A rare chance to see this European touring production in Hong Kong — horses, theatre and spectacle in one night.
TheatreCavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci
Opera Hong Kong closes out the 2026 season with one of the most enduring pairings in the repertoire: Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, staged back-to-back at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre from 8 to 11 October.
Both works belong to the Italian verismo tradition — short, sharp, and unflinching in their portrayal of jealousy, honour, and revenge. Cavalleria Rusticana unfolds on Easter morning in a Sicilian village, where Santuzza's love for Turiddu curdles into betrayal and bloodshed; its famous Intermezzo alone is worth the price of admission. Pagliacci follows a travelling commedia troupe whose performance collapses into real tragedy when Canio discovers his wife Nedda's affair — the aria "Vesti la giubba" remains one of opera's most heartbreaking moments.
Warren Mok produces; Roberto Gianola conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic, with the Opera Hong Kong Chorus and Children Chorus. Enrico Castiglione directs and designs the production. Sung in Italian with Chinese and English surtitles.
Performances: 8, 9 and 10 October at 7:30 PM; 11 October matinee at 2:30 PM. Alternate casts appear on 8/10 October and 9/11 October respectively.
Tickets from HK$280 to HK$1,280 via URBTIX: https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/15371/ Early-bird booking at 20% off until 31 August 2026.
Theatre