Number 7 -September -2012 - Consolato generale d`Italia a Hong
Transcription
Number 7 -September -2012 - Consolato generale d`Italia a Hong
NEWSLETTER Dear Fellow Citizens, This issue will keep you up-to-date with the latest news from the Consulate General and the Italian Cultural Institute, with the upcoming cultural events and also with “our” new book on the Italians in Hong Kong and Macao. After the summer break, our cultural activities restarted full-speed a few days ago with a play that paid homage to the great Italian literature. Excerpts from Manzoni’s “I promessi sposi” (“The Betrothed”) were recited by Massimiliano Finazzer Flory accompanied on stage by “Teatro alla Scala” prima ballerina Gilda Gelati, in a beautiful and original piece which blended theatre, dance and music to perfection. Considering the excellent turnout, I am very pleased to announce that we will try to bring Finazzer back to Hong Kong either next year or at the beginning of 2014 with either the same work (enriched of extra excerpts from Manzoni’s masterpiece) or, if possible, with a show on “Pinocchio”. The month of September will focus on the great Italian cinema. The first edition of the film festival co-organized by the Hong Kong Film Festival, Cine Città Luce, Rome Municipality and Zetema Progetto Cultura (whose representatives paid a visit to Hong Kong last May) will present 8 feature films from 2011 or even 2012 by renowned masters like Ferzan Ozpetek and Ermanno Olmi or scriptwriters like Ivan Cotroneo at his debut behind the camera. The festival will open its doors with “Io sono Li”, a film by Segre which stars Chinese actress Zhao Tao, the first ever Chinese actress to receive the “Davide di Donatello” award as best actress. Zhao will attend the opening ceremony and will meet the public on 21 September. On the music front, I would like to remind you about the concert by guitarist Simone Onnis on 15 September, by singer Dolcenera on 17 October in Hong Kong and on 22 in Macao respectively, and by Quartetto Luca Ciarla on 11 October at City Hall as part of the Hong Kong Jazz Festival. 18, Harbour Road -Central Plaza Bldg. Wan Chai Tel: +852-25220033 Fax: +852-28459678 E-mail & website consolato.hong kong@esteri.it www.conshongkong.esteri.it Number 7 - September - 2012 But there’s more: even though they are not organized by this Consulate General or our very active Italian Institute, more shows focused or inspired by Italian culture are scheduled in the next few weeks, like La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi from 11 to 14 September at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Tosca by Giacomo Puccini on 1-3-4 November at the Macao Cultural Centre. As for the book on Italians in Hong Kong and Macao, we are in the process of adding three extra historical chapters (written, as you know, by Gianni Criveller and Angelo Paratico) to better emphasise the pivotal contribution given by the Italian presence to the development of Hong Kong and Macao, a contribution which – despite its ancient origins five centuries ago – is still not well-known and deserves to be properly highlighted. In order to increase its accessibility to a wider readership than the Italian community, we have decided to publish a shorter English version, which is likely to come out in print before the Italian as the latter has proved to be more complex than anticipated and needs further attention. The English version will only contain the most beautiful and interesting accounts together with a selection of the participants’ photos taken by Margherita Errante. As the editors are working for free in their spare time, the task is obviously a little bit more complicated. Nonetheless, we will go ahead as planned and will also keep looking for sponsors, convinced that this is a worthwhile mission and that we are doing something you will be pleased with (or at least so we hope)! Looking forward to seeing you at the many upcoming cultural events, With my best regards, Alessandra Schiavo Economic and commercial news Italian Equity Roadshow On the economic/financial front, waiting to update all our readers about the initiatives the Consulate General of Italy is currently taking, we would like to give you some more information on the Italian Equity Roadshow organized by Borsa Italiana last 26 June. Born form the cooperation between Borsa Italiana, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was very successful and showcased top Italian listed companies in Hong Kong and Singapore to Asian based institutional investors. In consideration of the current gloomy financial and economic times, the fact that Borsa Italiana and many Italian companies are willing to be proactive and help educate a new investor base is very positive news. As Bank of America Merrill Lynch representatives in Hong Kong put it, “Asia is at an inflection point and will increasingly become an exporter of capital - thus, spending time with Asian institutional investors is worthwhile for long term shareholder diversification”. “Fashion with Compassion”: (28-29 September 2012) A charity Fashion Event in tandem with “Fashion Access” & “Cashmere World” Charity pop-up fashion store “Fashion with Compassion” will operate at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28 & 29 September. The special sale will feature current or past season fashion merchandise including footwear, bags, fashion accessories and garments, as well as vintage items, donated by Hong Kong fashion establishments, celebrities and kind-hearted individuals. All proceeds will go to “Crossroads Foundations”, a Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation serving as an intersection between those in need and those who can extend a helping hand. For more information on how to support the charity event, click on: http://apps.ubmasia.com/files/mediaobjects/Files/25/FA/FAA12/Fashion_with_Compassion_PopUpCharitySale.pdf The event organized by UBM/APLF in collaboration with fashion maven Mary Yan Yan Chan, will be held in tandem with “Fashion Access” (27-29 September 2012), a renowned international fashion fair for high quality bags and footwear, small leather goods, and lifestyle accessories organized by APLF (a joint venture between SIC Group and UBM Asia). More than 50 Italian companies members of ANCI (Associazione Nazionale Calzaturifici Italiani, Italian Footwear Manufactures Association) and AIMPES (Associazione Italiana Pellettieri, Leathergoods Manufacturers Association) will be exhibiting at “Fashion Access”. “Cashmere World” will also take place on the same dates as a specialized trade fair focusing to promote the unique features of one of the most regarded luxury fabrics in the world. For more information on these fairs, click on: http://www.fashionaccess.aplf.com/ http://www.cashmereworldfair.com// “From 20th Century to Eternity” Italian Design Furniture Exhibition Date: 1-30 September Location: K11 Atrium, G/F, Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui K11 and “Fine Art Asia” have co-sponsored “From 20th Century to Eternity”, an exhibition of Italian design furniture which will take place from 1 to 30 September during the art mall's Design Month at K11. A preview exhibition will feature a fine collection of limited edition masterpiece furniture by several world renowned Italian designers, among which: Ettore Sottsass, Matteo Thun, Michele De Lucchi, Marco Zanuso Jrand Nanda Vigo, all pioneers in furniture design. Alongside the signature works, a collection of limited edition home decorative accessories created by the acclaimed design icons will also be showcased. At the end of the preview period, the exhibits will be moved to Fine Art Asia 2012, Asia's leading annual international fine art fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre which this year will take place from 4 to 7 October. Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Scholarships and Education ITALIAN RESEARCHER AT THE PASTEUR RESEARCH CENTRE IN HONG KONG. Ms. Livia Patrono, a young Italian researcher from the University of Padua, has recently completed a research and study period at the “Pasteur Research Centre” in Hong Kong where she attended the 9th HKU-Pasteur course on viral zoonoses from 11 to 27 July 2012 together with other 27 researchers selected worldwide. Upon completion of the course the Director of the “Pasteur Research Centre” Prof. Roberto Bruzzone expressed his personal gratitude to the Consul General of Italy Alessandra Schiavo for the invaluable support provided by her and the Consulate General of Italy which enabled Ms Patrono’s attendance through the generous financial contribution by the “Marco Polo Society”. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS BY “FONDAZIONE GIORGIO CINI”. “Fondazione Giorgio Cini” is offering scholarships and co-financing programmes to students and researchers interested in attending courses on Italian culture organised by “Vittore Branca International Centre” in Venice. The Centre, which can provide accommodation for max. 90 people, was established in 2010 and offers courses addressed to scholars, young researchers, writers and artists from all over the world who would like to study Italian culture in the fields of art, history, literature, theatre, music and early printed books. The scholarship funds offered by “Fondazione Giorgio Cini” cover part of the accommodation costs and the charges for services provided by the International Centre. Detailed information is available on http://www.cini.it/en/centrobranca MANZONI SCHOOL STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE ESF ITALIAN TEST Our sincere congratulations to the six “Alessandro Manzoni” School students who recently passed the ESF GCSE Italian test with excellent marks! This great result formally recognises the students’ skills and knowledge as well as the intense work carried out by the Alessandro Manzoni Directors and teaching staff. Our best wishes go also to all the pupils who are starting the new school year on 8 September. This year the curriculum includes a new Italian literature course (15 lessons in total) focused on the life and works of some of Italy’s most important writers, i.e. Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, Giovanni Boccaccio. The course is addressed to pupils aged between 14 and 17. Detailed information on the courses is available at http://www.manzoni.edu.hk/ or through the email address coordinator@manzoni.edu.hk . Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments Eight Italian films to hit Hong Kong theatre this September “Cine Italiano! - Italian Film Week in Hong Kong”, a one-week showcase of eight finely selected Italian films, will run from 21 to 26 September 2012 at The Grand Cinema. Curated by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) and Zetema Progetto Cultura, and presented by City of Rome, RAI Cinema, CineCittà Luce, the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong, this inaugural edition will open with documaker Andre SEGRE's feature debut Shun Li and the Poet, a meditative and poignant story about Shun Li, a Chinese immigrant woman who works as a bartender in a small coastal town outside Venice, and later gets drawn into a tender but difficult romance with an older fisherman. The film's leading actress ZHAO Tao (JIA Zhang-ke's muse in Platform and The World) won Best Actress at the 2012 David di Donatello Awards, also known as the Italian Oscars, for her subtle and moving performance, becoming the first Chinese actress to win the honour. She will attend the Opening Ceremony and meet the audience at the screening on 21 September. Shun Li and the Poet will kick off an eclectic programme that is at once entertaining and inspirational, featuring light-hearted comedies to works by celebrated masters, including: Ferzan OZPETEK's wry and insightful comedy Magnificent Presence, which earned him the 2012 Italy's Golden Globe Award for Best Director; renowned screenwriter Ivan COTRONEO's directorial debut Kryptonite!, a refreshing and whimsical portrait of `70s Naples in its hippie heyday; and The Cardboard Village, the latest feature from Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or and Venice Film Festival Golden Lion winner Ermanno OLMI. The full programme can be viewed at www.cine-italiano.hk. Screening schedule 2012-09-21 21:30 Shun Li and The Poet 2012-09-22 15:00 Easy! 2012-09-22 17:15 Kryptonite! 2012-09-22 19:30 Magnificent Presence 2012-09-23 15:00 One Day More 2012-09-23 17:15 Shun Li and The Poet 2012-09-23 19:15 The Cardboard Village 2012-09-24 19:30 Corpo Celeste 2012-09-24 21:40 Kryptonite! 2012-09-25 19:30 The Entrepreneur 2012-09-25 21:30 Magnificent Presence 2012-09-26 19:30 Easy! 2012-09-26 21:30 One Day More Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments SHUN LI AND THE POET (Io sono Li) Dir: Andrea Segre Italy 2011 Colour 96min Cast: Zhao Tao, Rade Sherbedgia, Marco Paolini, Roberto Citran After working in a textile factory on the outskirts of Rome, Shun Li, a young Chinese immigrant, is transferred to the small town of Chioggia. She works as a bartender in a tavern, and befriends, and falls a little in love with Bepi "the Poet", an older fisherman of Slavic origin. The friendship turns difficult. Bepi's Italian friends turn on him, and Shun Li's Chinese employers order her to “stop it.” Relying more to poetry than to reality, the two friends try to save each other. It will be a dream-like salvation, made possible by the charm of a place, Chioggia, the lagoon and the high Adriatic. Screening on 21/09 introduced by Chinese actress Zhao Tao and Italian director Andre Segre. 2011 Venice Film Festival, FEDIC Award 2012 David di Donatello Awards, Best Actress KRYPTONITE! (La kryptonite nella borsa) Dir: Ivan Cotroneo Italy 2011 Colour 98min Cast: Valeria Golino, Luca Zingaretti, Cristiana Capotondi, Libero De Rienzo Naples, 1973. Peppino is 9, comes from a large and chaotic family and has an older cousin, Gennaro, who thinks he is Superman. Peppino divides his days between the crazy world of his young aunt and uncle, who dance in squares, throw parties in basements and attend feminist collectives, and his home where his mum shuts herself away and his father gives him little chicks for pets. But when Gennaro dies, Peppino lets loose his imagination, rewrites reality and brings him back to life. Every family has its secrets. But some are funnier than others. Screenings introduced by director Ivan Cotroneo 2011 Rome Film Festival 2012 Seattle International Film Festival ONE DAY MORE (Il giorno in più) Dir: Massimo Venier Italy 2011 111min Cast: Fabio Volo, Isabella Ragonese, Pietro Ragusa, Camilla Filippi Giacomo Bonetti's ambition is to go through life without getting entangled in any serious relationships. But as sure as rain, one day, on a bus, he meets a beautiful girl. He invites her out for dinner, spends a beautiful night with her, and finds out that the next day she's moving to New York City. He thinks he'll never see her again, which would have been perfect, until he takes a sudden decision led by his heart... 2011 Torino Film Festival Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments MAGNIFICENT PRESENCE (Magnifica Presenza) Dir: Ferzan Ozpetek Italy 2012 Colour 105min Cast: Elio Germano, Margherita Buy, Vittoria Puccini, Giuseppe Fiorello Pietro, a 28-year-old actor-wannabe who works nightshifts in a bakery, has just moved to into a beautiful apartment in Rome. The place is badly in need of repair but dirt cheap. He soon starts noticing objects moving and strange noises coming from empty rooms. Surely he is not living alone. First he ignores the seven and a half annoying residents, next he tries everything he can to get rid of them. They just won't leave him alone. But forced cohabitation with otherworldly creatures has its advantages, as Pietro eventually finds out… 2012 Italian Golden Globes, Best Director, Best Actor CORPO CELESTE Dir: Alice Rohrwacher Italy / The Switzerland / France 2011 Colour 100min Cast: Yile Vianelllo, Salvatore Cantalupo, Pasqualina Scuncia, Anita Caprioli 13 year old Marta struggles to resettle after ten years growing up in Switzerland. Bright-eyed and restless, she observes the sights, sounds and smells of the southern Italian city but feels very much an outsider. About to take confirmation, Marta confronts the morality of the local Catholic community. A series of subtle moments trace her journey as she connects and conflicts with her mother, sister and the Sunday school teacher Santa. From experiencing her period to making a bold decision to cut her hair, Marta begins to shape her own life for the first time since moving back to Italy. 2012 Göteborg Film Festival, International Debut Award EASY! (Scialla!) Dir: Francesco Bruni Italy 2011 Colour 95min Cast: Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Filippo Scicchitano, Barbora Bobulova, Vinicio Marchioni Bruno Beltrame is a washout as a writer. All that's left of his old talent is to ghost-write “other people's books”, currently a biography of a porno star. His passion for teaching has given way to an apathetic routine of tutoring equally apathetic students, including 15-year old Luca, who is ignorant, vivacious and irreverent. One day the boy's mother turns up and reveals a secret that: Luca is his son… And that is not all: the woman is about to leave for a six-month stint as a volunteer in Africa. She asks Bruno to take the boy in, and willfully forgets to reveal the boy's identity. 2011 Venice Film Festival, Controcampo Italiano Prize Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments THE CARDBOARD VILLAGE (Il villaggio di cartone) Dir: Ermanno Olmi Italy 2011 Colour 87min Cast: Michel Lonsdale, Rutger Hauer, Alessandro Haber, Massimo De Francovich An old priest has worked for many years in a church that is about to be demolished. There is nothing he can do to stop the cruelty that modernity imposes on historical buildings. Feeling desperate, he takes refuge in the sacristy. Night falls and a storm. Out of nowhere, clandestine immigrants, running from the law and seeking for a roof, invade the church. Seemingly hopeless, for both the priest and the immigrants, a “resurrection” materializes. No longer seen as a place for liturgical ceremonies and golden altars, the church turns into a home where derelicts find aid and comfort, and where these poor people become the real ornament of the once sacred temple. 2011 Venice Film Festival 2011 Toronto International Film Festival THE ENTREPRENEUR (L'industriale) Dir: Giuliano Montaldo Italy 2011 Colour 94min Cast: Pier Francesco Favino, Carolina Crescentini, Eduard Gabia, Francesco Scianna Nicola, 40, owns a failing factory he inherited from his father in Turin. Throttled by debts and banks, Nicola will solve his problems sans scruples, exactly like the banks that are destroying him. With the world falling around him, Nicola also decides that he must cling on to life's only certainty: his marriage to Laura, his estranged wife. But instead of speaking frankly to Laura, he starts suspecting her, and follows her in secret. Everything, of course collapses. The knight on the white horse does not materialize and Laura declares her will to separate. Nicola flounders. And then the wheel of fortune turns. The man-in-crisis is keeping more than one secret... 2012 Italian Golden Globes, Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Special Jury Award Ticketing Information Ticket Price $75 Regular Price $60 Full-Time Students & Children $55 Senior Citizens Online Ticketing: www.thegrandcinema.com.hk Phone Ticketing: 3983 0033 Tickets are also available at the box office of The Grand Cinema. THE GRAND 2/F, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Telephone: 2196 8170 Email: grandinfo@thegrand.hk Join the Italian Cultural Institute's network: for further information Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/istituto.dicultura http://www.conshongkong.esteri.it/Consolato_HongKong Twitter: https://twitter.com/IICHongKong Pininterest: http://pinterest.com/iichongkong Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments Simone Onnis, the Italian Guitarist performs in Hong Kong Simone Onnis started performing in concerts when still young and is now perceived as one of the most respected guitarists of his generation across the globe: “Simone is an inspired and mature guitarist characterized by strong brightness, which is a rare phenomenon among guitarists of his generation.” (John W. Duarte) Acclaimed by audiences around the world, thanks to his extraordinary musical sensibility and creativity, Simone is often invited to perform for the most important music institutions worldwide (Amsterdam, Basil, Berlin, Boston, Bruxelles, Budapest, Copenhagen, Damascus, Jerusalem, Genève, Hong Kong, Lucerne, Luxembourg, Milano, New York, Paris, Beijing, Prague, Rome, Rotterdam, Shanghai, Seoul, Ulan Bator, Vienna, Washington, Zurich). During his stay in Hong Kong Simone Onnis will also give a Masterclass to the students of the Hong Kong Guitar Ensemble, co-organizer of the concert. Saturday 15th September 2012, 8pm Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Lecture Hall, 345 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong Organized by: The Italian Cultural Institute / The Consulate General of Italy In collaboration with: The Hong Kong Guitar Ensemble Ticket sale info TBA THE BETROTHED (I PROMESSI SPOSI) After touring the U.S., Australia, Latin America and Europe, the theatrical performance of Alessandro Manzoni’s historical novel “The Betrothed” was staged in Hong Kong last 31 August at the HK Arts Centre. The show, co-organized by the Consulate General of Italy, by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong and co-sponsored by “Damiani”, was created as part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. It was directed and performed by Mr. Massimiliano Finazzer Flory and accompanied on stage by Gilda Gelati, prima ballerina of “La Scala” Theatre Ballet Company, Milan. The readings were selected from chapters I, VI, VIII, XII, XXI, XXXIV & XXXVIII of the Italian masterpiece. The main plot is well known to the public: set in the XVII century in a small village on Lake Como in Northern Italy, Renzo and Lucia, a young couple on the eve of their wedding, are forced to flee from their hometown by Don Rodrigo, a local tyrant who has his own designs on the girl. After overcoming many challenges and obstacles in their way, finally they reunite and tie the knot. In his performance, Mr. Finazzer Flory not only beautifully succeeds in telling this famous love story, but - through Alessandro Manzoni’s words - also allows us to glimpse into the lifestyle of XVII century Italy, the historical events of the time, the fear of the plague, the poverty and all the horrors and contradictions which are still able to move us today. from left to right: Fabio Saloni Ernesto Miraglia Alessandra Schiavo Massimiliano Finazzer Flory Gilda Gelati Matteo Fazzi Steffani Puschnerat Monica Trost Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments Luca Ciarla Quartet at Hong Kong Jazz Festival 2012 Luca Ciarla - Violin, electric violin & loop machine Vince Abbracciante - Accordion Nicola Di Camillo - Double bass & acoustic bass Francesco Savoretti - Percussions & drums Luca Ciarla is one of the most creative and surprising Italian violinists nowadays. His music easily transcends the boundaries among genres to trace an innovative musical path, in perfect balance between written compositions and improvisation. Ciarla pursued a master's degree at the Indiana University and completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona. Winner of several competitions in Italy and abroad, in 1999 Ciarla has been awarded by New York-based Chamber Music America. He has been working with classical, jazz, folk and even rock musicians such as Greg Cohen, Daniele Sepe, Joshua Bell, Edgar Mayer, Danilo Rea, Sylvain Gagnon, Andrea Piccioni, Simone Zanchini, and many more. His unique style has led him to successfully perform in countless festivals and concert series of jazz, classical and world music festivals in more than thirty countries. “Luca Ciarla has wooed the classical, jazz and folk crowds with his originality.” - Cover Magazine (Hong Kong) Date: Thursday, October 11, 2012 Time: 7.30pm Venue: Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre Organized by: Hong Kong Jazz Festival In collaboration with: Italian Cultural Institute / Consulate General of Italy www.hkijf.com DOLCENERA - Voice & Piano DOLCENERA Emanuela Trane (born 16 May 1977), better known by her stage name Dolcenera, is an Italian singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to fame in 2003, after winning the newcomers' section of the Sanremo Music Festival, but she achieved success in Italy only in 2005, when she won the music-based reality show Music Farm and she released her sophomore album, Un mondo perfetto. In 2005 she was also awarded Best New Artist of the Year at the Italian Meeting of Independent Record Labels and she received the De Andrè Award for Best Emerging Artist. Dolcenera participated again in the Sanremo Music Festival in 2006 --when she sang the hit single "Com'è straordinaria la vita", included in the album Il popolo dei sogni --and in 2009, singing "Il mio amore unico", from her fourth studio set Dolcenera nel paese delle meraviglie, the first one released by a major label, Sony Music. After signing with EMI, she released her fifth studio album in 2011, titled Evoluzione della specie. During the same year, she appeared on the italian version of Professor Green's single "Read All About It (Tutto quello che devi sapere)", which was also included in the 2012 edition of Evoluzione della specie, released after Dolcenera's participation in the Sanremo Music Festival 2012 with "Ci vediamo a casa". Dolcenera's promotional tour in Asia is organized by the Italian Cultural Institute and the Consulate General of Italy in partnership with Salento Cinema, a no profit organization, founded in 2012 by Gigi Campanile, with the main goal of promoting new talents to an international public through cultural and cinema events. Supported by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Kindly sponsored by Swiss International Air Lines Wednesday 17 October 2012 - 8pm - Jockey Club Auditorium, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University FREE EVENT book at www.iichongkong.esteri.it Monday 22 October 2012 - 8pm - Dom Pedro V Macao Info: http://www.icm.gov.mo/fimm/26/ Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012 Cultural News and Entertainments THE ITALIAN OPERA "LA TRAVIATA" IN HONG KONG NEXT OCTOBER The famous Italian opera La Traviata will be put on stage at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 11th to 14th of September. Audience will appreciate Warren Mok’s talent and skills as producer of this opera. World-well known Warren Mok is one of the most popular tenor from Hong Kong. After his first European debut at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1987, his operatic repertoire exceeds 60 important roles including Calaf in Turandot, Don José in Carmen and Radames in Aida. He is currently the Artistic Director of the Macao International Music Festival and the founder/Artistic Director of the Opera of Hong Kong. In recent years, he has been very actively promoting the Western opera and music in the Mainland China and in Hong Kong. La Traviata, an Italian opera in three acts, is a world-famous opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The first performance of La Traviata was in 1853. This lyrical drama tells about the love-story between the courtesan Violetta and the young bourgeois Alfredo. Their idyll does not have a happy ending: it is not only contrasted by society, but at the end of the opera Violetta, who is suffering from tuberculosis, dies. Champagne and Cigarettes After the great success of Coffee and Cigarettes last year, Aurora Theatre is happy to present a sequel production to that collection of short plays with an edge. Champagne and Cigarettes is again made up of of 10 minute plays, united by two decadent pleasures, written by local playwrights and performed by local actors. Aurora Theatre, founded by Italian theatre performer and producer Nicole Garbellini-West in 2010, is an independent theatre company that aims to English-language shows in Hong Kong. The material includes performances both by adults and children. 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the victims of the Italian Earthquake in Emilia-Romagna. Tickets: 200 HKD Early Birds Promotion: Tickets available at 180 HKD if booked before the 17th of August. For booking and enquiries please contact Nicole Garbellini-West lovehate_it@yahoo.co.uk. Contains adult themes and language. Audience must be 16+ Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - Saturday, September 22, 2012 Time: 8pm Venue: McAulay Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai Organized by: Aurora Theatre Information: For booking and enquiries please contact Nicole Garbellini-West lovehate_it@yahoo. co.uk. Newsletter - Number 7 - September 2012