Two HK Performing Arts Flagships Present an Unforgettable Evening of Music and DanceHong Kong Ballet (HKB)’s Choreographer-in-Residence Hu Song Wei Ricky’s poignant The Last Song and Septime Webre’s powerful dance masterpiece Carmina Burana. Inspired by J.S. Bach’s music and Oscar Wilde’s story The Nightingale and the Rose, Hu created the hauntingly beautiful The Last Song as a powerful and intimate mediation of an artist’s relationship with his muse, symbolised by the nightingale.

With intriguing dances from medieval times all the way to the present, Webre’s riveting Carmina Burana, with its universal theme about the eternal search for love, is set to Carl Orff’s powerful music, widely considered one of the most celebrated scores ever written. Orff was inspired by 24 provocative medieval poems, both sacred and profane, written by 12th century monks about fortune, love, lust and gluttony, and Webre’s charismatic choreography brings the drama to life. Breathtaking nine-metre scaffolding surrounding the stage evokes monks’ cells and holds over 100 commanding chorus singers from Shanghai.

Under the baton of HK Phil Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman, this epic double bill programme uniquely brings the acclaimed dancers of HKB and the world-class musicians of the HK Phil together for a celebration of culture and artistry combining riveting music with visually arresting dance. Carmina Burana won Outstanding Large Venue Production, and The Last Song won Outstanding Choreography at the 24th HK Dance Alliance Awards.

CONDUCTOR: Lio Kuokman

LIVE ORCHESTRA: Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
CHORUS：Shanghai Conservatory of Music Chorus

Shanghai Huangpu Youngster’s Art Activity Center Spring Children’s Choir

The Last Song

MUSIC: Johann Sebastian Bach

CHOREOGRAPHY AND SET DESIGN: Hu Song Wei Ricky

ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER: Joanne Chong

SET DESIGN: Siu Wai Man

LIGHTING DESIGN: Mak Kwok Fai
SOUND DESIGN: Roy Cheung

Carmina Burana

MUSIC: Carl Orff

CHOREOGRAPHY AND SET DESIGN: Septime Webre

COSTUME DESIGN: Liz Vandal

LIGHTING DESIGN: Mak Kwok Fai
SOUND DESIGN: Roy Cheung

1685-1750

Johann Sebastian Bach

Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041: II. Andante

Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: II. Adagio

Cello Suite no. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: III. Courante

Violin Sonata no. 4 in C Minor: Siciliano, arr. STOKOWSKI

Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041: III. Allegro assai

Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: II. Adagio Mein Jesu (from Motet no. 3), arr. STOKOWSKI

Part 1: Springtime and On the Green

Part 2: In the Tavern

Part 3: The Court of Love

About Hong Kong Ballet

Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.

Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong Ballet (HK Ballet) comprises 50 elite dancers from around the world, including Hong Kong China, Mainland China, other parts of Asia, Oceania (covering Australia, New Zealand, etc.), Europe, and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally with celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong. Additionally, HKB performs works by its Artistic Director Septime Webre and some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence, Hu Song Wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.

HKB stands out as a dynamic Hong Kong cultural ambassador, sharing its unique repertoire and style with audiences around the world. With over 50 international tours since its founding, this year HKB will have performed or presented immersive works in Venice (Italy), New York (USA), London (UK), Seoul (South Korea), Macau (China), and Shanghai (China). HKB maintains the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is regarded as one of the leading orchestras in Asia. Collaborating with internationally renowned conductors and soloists, the orchestra presents more than 150 concerts annually, attracting more than 200,000 music lovers. The HK Phil promotes the work of Hong Kong and Chinese composers, commissions new works, nurtures local talent and runs extensive education and community programmes. Tarmo Peltokoski is the HK Phil’s Music Director Designate in 2025/26 and will become Music Director in the 2026/27 season. Currently, Long Yu serves as Principal Guest Conductor and Lio Kuokman is Resident Conductor. Esa-Pekka Salonen is Composer-in-Residence.

The HK Phil has flourished in the last two decades under Jaap van Zweden (Music Director, 2012–2024) and Edo de Waart (Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, 2004–2012). In 2019, the HK Phil won the prestigious Gramophone Orchestra of the Year Award – the first orchestra in Asia to receive this accolade from the UK classical music magazine. Notable recent recording projects include Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle, Mahler’s Symphony No. 10, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 and Piano Concerto No. 1.

Shanghai Conservatory of Music Chorus

The Shanghai Conservatory of Music Chorus, a prestigious ensemble, is composed of talented students from the conservatory's Vocal and Opera Department. Under the leadership of Professor Liao Changyong, the conservatory's president, and Professor Fang Qiong, the department chair, the choir has blossomed into a vibrant and dynamic group, aiming for international acclaim.

The choir boasts a well-rounded voice range and a bright, polished sound, capable of performing a diverse repertoire in multiple languages, including Chinese, Italian, French, German, Russian, English, and Latin. Their versatility extends to various styles, from grand operas like "Aida," "Carmen," "La Traviata," and "The Barber of Seville," to large-scale choral works such as Handel's "Messiah" and Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony." They have also embraced Chinese operas and choral pieces, including "The Yellow River Cantata" and "The Long March Suite."

The choir has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned musicians like John Nelson, Seiji Ozawa, Liao Changyong, Long Yu, Haojiang Tian, and Ying Huang, receiving high praise from both peers and audiences. A staple in Shanghai's music scene, the choir participates in significant events, including the annual Shanghai Conservatory of Music New Year's Concert and special commemorative performances. They have achieved notable recognitions, such as the gold medal at the Harbin Summer Music Festival and the first prize in the Shanghai division of the Seventh National University Student Art Exhibition in 2024.

Moreover, the choir's members have been selected to participate in prestigious international music events like the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and Seiji Ozawa's music academy, showcasing their talent on a global stage. The Shanghai Conservatory of Music Chorus continues to be a beacon of musical excellence, proudly representing China's rich cultural heritage on the world stage.

Shanghai Huangpu Youngster’s Art Activity Center Spring Children’s Choir

Shanghai Huangpu Youngster’s Art Activity Center Spring Children’s Choir of Shanghai Student Arts Union is a key arts group of the aforementioned “Shanghai Student Arts Union”.The chorus is composed of more than 260 members from different levels of schools in Shanghai.Since its founding in 1996, it has won numerous awards home and abroad.At the same time, great importance has been given to broadening students’ horizon, updating their ability and training their wills. In addition, by attending the performance in opera, musical, symphony and recitals, the chorus has been gaining wide experiences of stage performance.The chorus has “love” and “devotion” as its motif. Members are not only taught singing skills but also how to behave in life. The choir will always strive to be a young choir with unique singing style, own repertoire and first-rate singing standards.