Book now for Let It Be, Suede and Madama Butterfly
A tribute to The Beatles, 1990s Britpop and Puccini’s multicultural opera. Make sure you get your tickets
Let It Be
If the recent deaths of David Bowie and Prince have reminded us of anything, it’s that life is finite – but music legends live on forever. This July, Let It Be brings the iconic tunes of The Beatles to Hong Kong. More than two million people have experienced this musical in the West End and on Broadway. It covers the entire career of the Fab Four – from early shows at the Cavern Club in Liverpool to their now legendary US introduction on the Ed Sullivan Show, on to the band’s final gig on the rooftop of the Apple building. Expect all of Paul, John, George and Ringo’s greatest hits (and there are plenty) such as Hey Jude, Come Together, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Yesterday and, of course, Let It Be.
July 22-23, 8pm; July 24, 10.30am, 3.30pm, AsiaWorld-Arena Runway 11, HK$288, HK$488, HK$688 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2922 8288
Suede Live in Hong Kong
Oasis and Blur may get most of the credit for the early 90s Britpop movement that took rock music back from the angry Grunge and mopey Shoegaze scenes, but Suede was as big a part of that push as the Gallaghers or Damon Albarn. To celebrate their seventh album Night Thoughts, Suede performs in Hong Kong for one night only this August. Lead singer Brett Anderson and his crew won’t just play new material, of course – there will surely be some good old 90s Britpop on the bill.
August 16, 8pm, AsiaWorld-Arena Hall 10, HK$580, HK$780, HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2922 8288
Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly has been a staple in operatic repertoire around the world for more than a century and is an adaptation of an American short story that was based on recollections of the author’s sister, who herself was apparently inspired by a French novel. Confused yet? Well, all you need to know is that this version that’s playing in Hong Kong was staged by the late British director Anthony Minghella, who used his cinematic prowess to craft a visually stunning spectacle (Minghella won an Oscar for directing The English Patient) that’s won a myriad of prizes, including the Olivier Award. Conducted by Karel Mark Chichon, this story of a US sailor who is smitten by the titular geisha stars Latvian soprano Kristine Opolais and French tenor Roberto Alagna.
September 24, 5.30pm; October 30, 5pm, The Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus – Bethanie, Wellcome Theatre, HK$210 (Students and senior citizens, HK$180), HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2922 8288
