[15 June 2026, Hong Kong] Musica Viva will mark a significant milestone in the city’s operatic landscape this autumn by presenting the Hong Kong Premiere of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Lucio Silla. Under the direction of Musica Viva Director-General Prof. Lo Kingman, this rarely performed opera seria will be brought to life on 11 and 12 September 2026 (Friday and Saturday) at 7:30 pm at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre, providing a spectacular showcase for a stellar cast of Hong Kong’s finest budding vocal talents.
A Rare Glimpse of Teenage Genius
Lucio Silla is an opera in three acts, composed in 1772 when Mozart was just 16 years old, to a libretto by Giovanni de Gamerra. While Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute are staples of many opera houses, Lucio Silla remains a hidden gem in Mozart’s repertoire, offering audiences a rare, fascinating look at the raw genius of a teenage Mozart rewriting the rules of dramatic opera.
Set against a gripping narrative of absolute power, political intrigue, and vengeance surrounding the Roman dictator Lucius Sulla, the score is legendary within classical music circles for its punishingly difficult, high-stakes bravura arias. The production offers Hong Kong’s rising operatic singers a demanding platform to showcase both their profound technical mastery and emotional maturity.
A Stage for Home-grown and Regional Talent
In alignment with Musica Viva’s core mission to nurture performing artists in the region, this production brings together a brilliant line-up of Hong Kong’s own rising opera stars alongside exceptional regional talent. Directed by Prof. Lo Kingman, the production stars Hong Kong tenor Dennis Lau in the title role of Silla, the Hong Kong-based South Korean soprano Esel Kim as Giunia (the daughter of his enemy Gaius Marius), countertenor Terry Lee as the exiled Roman senator Cecilio, male soprano Chris Peng as Cinna, soprano Valentina Tao as Celia, and tenor Gabriel Ma alongside Francisco J. Fernández as Aufidio. The principal cast will perform with the Musica Viva Chorus and the Musica Viva Chamber Orchestra under the baton of conductor Adrian Sit.
To complement the vibrant energy of the cast, Musica Viva has brought together a distinguished team of local creative talent to bring ancient Rome to lif. Under the artistic direction of Prof. Lo Kingman, the production features set designs by Isaac Wong, lighting design by Adonic Lo, historically informed costumes by Cathy Siu, and make-up design by Betty Wan.
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Artists
Prof. Lo Kingman (Producer & Director): Director-General of Musica Viva. He has directed and designed over 200 stage productions across Asia, Europe, and America. Former Director of the HKAPA, recipient of the HKSAR Silver Bauhinia Star, and awarded the Life Achievement Award by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
Adrian Sit (Conductor): First-prize winner of the International Conducting Competition Augsburg (2016). He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Mozarteum University Salzburg and has led Musica Viva’s recent acclaimed productions of La Finta Giardiniera, La Clemenza di Tito, Il Trittico, and Mitridate.
Dennis Lau (Lucio Silla, tenor): Celebrated local tenor and Chorus Master of the Musica Viva Chorus. His extensive operatic credits include principal roles in L’elisir d’amore, Don Giovanni, La Finta Semplice, La Clemenza di Tito, Mitridate, re di Ponto, alongside frequent appearances as a concert soloist across the region.
Esel Kim (Giunia, soprano): Acclaimed South Korean coloratura soprano based in Hong Kong. A first-prize winner at the 2018 Concours International Les Clés D’or in Paris, her notable stage roles include Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Violetta (La Traviata), and principal appearances across major European and Korean venues.
Terry Lee (Cecilio, countertenor): Principal countertenor and Manager (Artistic Projects) for Musica Viva. He has systematically mastered Mozart’s early opera seria roles for the company, including Ramiro (La finta giardiniera), Sesto (La Clemenza di Tito), and Farnace (Mitridate, re di Ponto).
Chris Peng (Cinna, male Soprano): Highly specialized male soprano known for his unique, agile vocal range. An expert in the demanding bel canto repertoire, he focuses on redefining classical characters and early operatic structures within contemporary performance spaces.
Valentina Tao (Celia, soprano): Master of Music graduate from the HKAPA under Nancy Yuen. Her recent performances include the Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute) and Maria (West Side Story), supported by the Nancy Yuen Singing Scholarship.
Gabriel Ma (Aufidio, tenor): Vocal Performance and Arts Administration graduate from Indiana University Bloomington. A versatile tenor whose recent local credits include principal roles in Lucia di Lammermoor and Die Fledermaus.
Francisco J. Fernández (Aufidio, tenor): Venezuelan tenor and graduate of the Conservatory of Music of Carabobo. An accomplished interpreter of early music, baroque opera, and sacred repertoires. Currently, he is a member of the Hong Kong Bach Choir and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus Fellows programme.
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OPERA: LUCIO SILLA
Performed in Italian with English & Chinese surtitles
Date & Time:
- 11 September 2026, Friday, 19:30
- 12 September 2026, Saturday, 19:30
Venue: Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall
Ticket Price: $380, $290, $200
Tickets available from 19 June at URBTIX
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Music: W. A. Mozart
Libretto: Giovanni de Gamerra
ARTISTIC DIRECTION
Producer and Director: Lo Kingman
Conductor: Adrian Sit
Set Designer: Isaac Wong
Costume Designer: Cathy Siu
Lighting Designer: Adonic Lo
Make-up Designer: Betty Wan
CAST
Silla: Dennis Lau
Giunia: Esel Kim
Cecilio: Terry Lee
Cinna: Chris Peng
Celia: Valentina Tao
Aufidio: Gabriel Ma (11/9), Francisco J. Fernández (12/9)
Musica Viva Chorus
Live Accompaniment by Musica Viva Chamber Orchestra
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
- For more details about the programme, cast, and various discount schemes, please visit the following website: musicavivahk.org
- For interview requests, media, and press-related enquiries, please contact Kelly Tai by email at kellytai@musicvivahk.org or by phone at 6449 3446.
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About Musica Viva
Musica Viva is a non-profit charitable organisation founded in October 2008 by a group of dedicated supporters with deep expertise in performing arts policy, development, outreach, and education. Its mission is to promote performing arts of creative originality across diverse forms and genres, with a particular focus on the appreciation, study, education, and performance of music, opera, and vocal art.
Led by Prof. Lo Kingman, SBS, MBE, JP, Musica Viva champions performing formats that demonstrate aesthetic refinement, genuine artistic content, and insightful interpretations presented with honesty and economy, while creating platforms for creative exploration and professional development for both emerging and established artists. With an international outlook, it actively presents its productions abroad, staging productions in Stockholm, St. Petersburg, London, and in the Chinese Mainland. Through these cross-border collaborations and tours, Musica Viva showcases Hong Kong’s artistic excellence on the global stage while fostering cultural exchange and expanding the city’s international artistic presence.
Since its inception, Musica Viva has been generously supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).
Official website: www.musicavivahk.org
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MusicaVivahk