Oper Leipzig: Wagner’s Tannhäuser

The Hong Kong Arts Festival is presenting Richard Wagner’s major opera Tannhäuser, fully staged in Hong Kong for the first time, on March 1 and 2 at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre! The opera was a crucial work in the composer’s development of his ‘music drama’ ideal. Tickets are available at all URBTIX outlets now.

Considered one of Wagner’s quintessential romantic operas, the composer depicts Tannhäuser’s struggle between flesh and spirit with sensuous and powerful music. Iconoclastic director Calixto Bieito, the ’Quentin Tarantino of opera’, will defy your expectations by pitting the impulsive protagonist against a soulless modern society. A Hong Kong premiere of this masterpiece of German romanticism.

Founded in the 17th century and hailing from Wagner’s hometown, Oper Leipzig boasts over 300 years of opera and choral tradition, with past music directors including the legendary Gustav Mahler. Under the baton of current General Music Director Ulf Schirmer, renowned Wagnerian singers, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Chor der Oper Leipzig come together to realise this sensuous masterpiece of German romanticism. 

Approx 4 hrs incl two intervals
Performed in German, with English and Chinese surtitles

A series of accompanying programmes such as pre-performance talks, back stage tours, theatre workshops and an exhibition that brings the audience to a thematic musical trail to Leipzig will be held during the Festival time. Goethe-Institut Hongkong is pleased to collaborate with the Hong Kong Arts Festival on the Leipzig Music Trail (Leipziger Notenspur) Exhibition. Click here to find out more: