What's On

TRAGIC LOVE STORY COMES TO HK

The opera Carmen will be staged from Thursday to Saturday at 7.30pm, and on Sunday at 2.30pm, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Set in Spain in the 1820s, the story begins with military man Don Jose falling in love with gypsy girl Carmen. It ends in tragedy when Jose stabs Carmen to death, after his unfaithful lover decides to leave him.

The role of Carmen will be played by mezzo-soprano Annie Vavrille and Hermine May. Hong Kong tenor Warren Mok and his French counterpart Luca Lombardo will play Jose's role.

Carmen will be performed in French, with English and Chinese subtitles. Student tickets at $300, $225, $150 and $75 ($880, $600, $450, $300 and $150 for adults) are available from Urbtix on 2734 9009.

CAT PAINTINGS ON SHOW

A collection of video works, paintings and graffiti art by French artists CHAT is on display until May 28 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

The works feature the group's signature drawing - a grinning cat. The cat paintings first appeared on rooftops, train stations, and even tree trunks, in France in 1995.

The artists will also host a free workshop for children aged five to 12 at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Shopping Mall on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 4.30pm. The workshop will be conducted in English and French. Free admission on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the workshop, call 2132 8718.