Youngsters major draw
FORTY years ago, pupils at the Beijing Traditional Opera School had lessons in ill-equipped classrooms in a dilapidated convent in the southern part of the city.
Today, the opera school is housed in an imposing building at a prestigious address and regarded as an important training ground for Beijing Opera artists.
The performance by the school's Juvenile Beijing Opera Troupe is a highlight.
The travelling troupe includes students aged between eight and 16. Many of them have already acted in Chen Kaige's award-winning movie Farewell To My Concubine.
The festival offers another Chinese operatic experience for local fans - Farewell To My Concubine, performed by the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society.
The Juvenile Beijing Opera Troupe will perform at City Hall from February 11 to 14. Tickets are priced between $120 and $240. The performance has Chinese subtitles. Farewell To My Concubine will be performed on February 17 and 18 at the City Hall, on February 19 at Sha Tin, and on February 23 at Tsuen Wan. Tickets cost from $70 to $170.
