Raining Petals – An Orchestral Re-Imagining
Floral Princess 65^th Anniversary Crossover Creation (23 & 24 December)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: 
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing 
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: [email protected] 

Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
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[9 December 2022, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) and Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop join forces to present the spectacular inter-disciplinary production: Raining Petals – An Orchestral Re-Imagining. HK Phil Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman leads the orchestra in this world premiere of symphonic poem that is inspired by the Cantonese opera classic Floral Princess. Three performances will take place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on 23 and 24 December 2022 (Fri & Sat). 

This year marks the 65th anniversary of legendary acting duo Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin’s interpretation of Floral Princess, a hugely successful Cantonese opera written by Tong Tik-sang. It is not only an iconic classic in Cantonese opera, but also an important cultural heritage of Hong Kong.

This brand new orchestral re-imagination is complemented by the exquisite on-screen interpretation and vocals by the acting duo, bringing the audience to savour the heart-breaking romance of Princess Coeng-ping and Consort Zau Sai-hin from a contemporary perspective. For this rendition under Directors-General duo Joseph Chan and Ip Ka-po with producer Maurice Lai, director Rex Ng weaves together text, video and audio, while composer Lee Che-yi pens an original symphonic poem. This crossover production will offer our audience a uniquely refreshing arts experience.

“Raining Petals – An Orchestral Re-Imagining” will be held on 23 December 2022 (Fri) at 8PM and 24 December 2022 (Sat) at 3PM and 8PM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$780, $620, $460 and $300 are available at URBTIX and POPTICKET. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

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Artists
Lio Kuokman, conductor [full description]
Currently serving as Resident Conductor of the HK Phil, Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Macao Orchestra and Programme Director of the Macao International Music Festival, Lio is praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “a startling conducting talent”. He won the Second Prize, Audience Prize and Orchestra Prize at the 3rd Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Pari. He also served as the first Chinese Assistant Conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 2021, Lio received the Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons award. In 2022, he was awarded Artist of the Year (Music) of the 16th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards and appointed a Justice of the Peace by the HKSAR Government.

Joseph Chan Sinn-gi, directors-general [full description]
Joseph Chan Sinn-gi is the director of Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop. He has extensive experience in film production with international stars and directors. He was the artist agent for pop icon Leon Lai and the general manager for Paciwood Music & Entertainment. He was Associate Producer of Days of Being Wild (directed by Wong Kar-wai), Farewell China (directed by Clara Law) and 92 Legendary La Rose Noire (directed by Jeff Lau); Executive Producer and Producer of Leaving Me, Loving You (directed by Wilson Yip) and Frozen (directed by Derek Kwok). Chan has helped finance and manage production budget totalling more than US$250m with co-investments and co-productions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ip Ka-po, directors-general [full description]
Ip Ka-po has more than 40 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. He served at Television Broadcasts Limited, Radio Television Hong Kong and Brainchild Production Limited. Celebrated as the "Father of Miss Asia Pageant", he organised many large-scale events, concerts, advertisements, TV programmes and films. Former Executive Director of Asia Television Limited (ATV), he supervised the daily operation, management and development at ATV, and broadcasted a number of film award ceremonies.

Maurice Lai, producer [full description]
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Maurice Lai is an MFA graduate in Cinema Production of the School of Film and Television of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He is one of the founders of Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop, a dance filmmaker active in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor at School of Dance of Taipei National University of the Arts, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Coordinator (Technical Support) of Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unlock Dancing Plaza, theatre panel member of the Programme and Development Committee of Leisure and Cultural Services Department and jury member of The Hong Kong Dance Awards. In 2020, he set up HoShunKing Artistic Workshop in Taiwan.

Rex Ng, director, scriptwriter and film-editor [full description]
Being one of the founders of Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop, Rex Ng is graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He had been a graphic designer and is also a graduate from Asia Television Training Institute. With a diverse background, Ng is amazed by the works of three Cantonese opera pioneers YPT (i.e. Yam Kim-fai, Pak Suet-sin and Tong Tik-sang) and believes that artistic creations should celebrate artistic excellence and explore different possibilities while passing on the torch of Cantonese opera. His works include - reinterpretation of classic III Domains: Human; crossover works A Fading Flower (video × Cantonese opera) and Waiting Heart (dance × Cantonese opera), original Cantonese opera productions ArenA  and Martyrdom; original theatre concert His Butterflies, video work Females in the Eyes of Stanley Kwan, video on Pak Suet-sin, Life Time Achievement Award winner of The 20th Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony; the making-of advertisement for Leon-Fishing, video for the celebration of Pak Suet-sin 90th birthday, etc. 

Lee Che-yi, composer [full description]
Lee Che-yi has composed about 2,000 works and arranged nearly 5,000 works of various types. His works include musical theatre, dance drama, stage play, all kinds of cross-border theatre, children's drama, film and TV commercial soundtracks. Since the beginning of his professional career, he has conducted more than 2,000 performances and has composed songs, arrangements, and soundtracks for hundreds of professional performing groups, both at home and abroad. He has also performed at dozens of international arts festivals and has produced about 110 albums. He is now serving as Music Director and Resident Composer of One Song Orchestra.

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RAINING PETALS – AN ORCHESTRAL RE-IMAGINING

23 & 24 | 12 | 2022

FRI 8PM

SAT 3PM & 8PM

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

HK$780 $620 $460 $300

Tickets now available at URBTIX and POPTICKET

For ages 6 and above