8 events you won’t want to miss at Le French May 2016 in Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong’s annual festival of French arts, Le French May, is, despite its name, already under way. Here’s our pick of events from the two-month-long celebration of Gallic culture.

EXHIBITIONS

Claude Monet: The Spirit of Place

An exhibition of 17 original artworks by Claude Monet at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, May 4-July 11

Auguste Borget: A Painter-traveller on the South China Coast

Exquisite images of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province as captured by the French artist during his year-long stay in 1838-39. Macau Museum of Art, June 28-October 9

MUSIC

Mozart in Love

Sabine Devieilhe, a young soprano getting rave reviews from international critics, will be singing a selection of Mozart pieces accompanied by Ensemble Pygmalion and its founder and conductor Raphael Pichon

Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, May 5, 8pm

Michel Dalberto Piano Recital/ Hong Kong Sinfonietta: Michel Dalberto plays Mozart and Richard Strauss

One of France’s best pianists gives two concerts at Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, May 6 and 7, 8pm. The recital on May 6 is an all-French programme of Franck, Debussy, Fauré and Ravel. There are also two recitals in Macau on May 2 and 3.

Richard Galliano and City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong

This is no ordinary squeeze box player. The legendary accordionist will show off his range in a concert that features Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Bachianas Brasileiras No 9 by Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos. Jun 10, Hong Kong City Hall, 8pm

Romeo and Juliette

Arnaud Bernard directs this production of Gounod’s opera with soprano Vannina Santoni and tenor Sebastien Gueze as the star-crossed lovers. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, May 27-29, 7.30pm

PERFORMING ARTS

Cinderella / Beauty and the Beast

Malandain Ballet Biarritz brings its treatment of two fairy tales. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Jun 1 and 2, 7.30pm

Disabled Theatre

Well-known choreographer Jerome Bel works with mentally disabled actors from Switzerland’s Theatre Hora to challenge the exclusion of disabled people from the stage. Macau Old Court, May 13-15

(SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)