Subverting Chinese zodiac stereotypes in twelve movements of refreshing musical fun
The Chinese zodiac originates from Chinese myths and folklore, and has a history of many millennia. The animals assigned to each year of the 12-year cycle are therefore stereotyped down the ages. But this concert featuring a brilliantly conceived work for Chinese orchestra and choir entitled The 12 Animal Signs of the Chinese Zodiac by Taiwan composer, Chien Nan-Chang,will offer a quirky and different perspective: the Monkey would turn into the Monkey King in Peking Opera mode, the Snake will be the White Snake doting in love, and the Tiger becomes a boxing match for its nemesis Wu Song…The stage will beshared by the HKCO, the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus, and drama players led by Chan Suk-yi, an up-and-coming stage director, all from Hong Kong. The occasion will be a wonderful blend of Chinese orchestral music, choral singing, comic staging and much, much more. As the concert is part of the programme of the Taiwan Culture Festival, it will also premiere the Journey of the Red Phoenix, a new work by Vincent Ho, Canadian-Chinese composer, which is co-commissioned by the HKCO and the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan. Come and join the party of colourful fantasia!

The river is still running hot with soldiers engaging in fierce battle, blood of countless heroes flowing unceasingly for twenty years! Rituals in play, play in rituals, play is rituals!

Showing Lord Guan Yu as man and god, with the classic basic skills of Peking opera: singing, talking, acting and fighting, and traditional rituals interspersed with new media technology. Battle, killing, sacrifice, compassion, becoming a god, subduing evil spirits… Begins with the loyal and heroic act of Guan Yu crossing five passes and slaying six generals. With the crossing of five passes, the cleansing of the stage is achieved by getting rid of the ominous evil spirits. Hence, he becomes a demon slayer, warding off evil and keeping the world in peace.