What does Hong Kong's French May arts festival have in store?
It's la vie en rose as Le French May returns this month. Established in 1993, the 32nd edition of this annual celebration of all things Gallic continues its long-standing tradition of visual arts, music, dance, theatre and gastronomy, in its mission to better connect Hong Kong with France.
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Performing arts have always formed the core of Le French May's programme, and chief among this year's line-up is Giselle, a new production by the
Hong Kong Ballet that reinterprets the timeless romantic classic, with the Royal Ballet's principal dancer, Matthew Ball, set to give star performances on May 31 and June 6.
Contemporary dance enthusiasts would do well to book tickets for Corps extrêmes (May 30 and 31, and June 1), to see its gravity-defying performances that combine dance, acrobatics and even bouldering. Striking a more pensive pose, stage drama Souvenirs, a production by the Alliance Française de Hong Kong, follows a man's reminiscences about his life and love with delicately choreographed dance routines.
Giselle, a new production by the Hong Kong Ballet that reinterprets the timeless romantic classic, will see the Royal Ballet's principal dancer, Matthew Ball, give star performances on May 31 and June 6. Photo: Le French May
Cross-cultural collaboration is at the heart of the musical performances at Le French May. A prime example is Echoes of the Heart (June 14), which sees French singer-songwriter Joyce Jonathan and
Cantopop artist Jay Fung Wan-him blend Hong Kong's distinct pop music style with French musical sensibilities.
Meanwhile, French singer-pianist Sarah Lancman will team up with local piano virtuoso Joyce Cheung for Jazz Female Duo – Paris Rendezvous on June 6, fusing jazz and French chanson. Then there's the dynamic jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz, who is bringing his energetic Rollin' & Clap! performance to Hong Kong on June 7, when he will imbue the greatest film scores of the 20th century with his spirited trumpeting.
For fans of classical music, cellist Gautier Capuçon's rendition of Shostakovich with the
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on May 8 and 9 promises emotional depth and technical brilliance. Then there's the surreal Le Bal, a street parade by the acclaimed Remue Ménage troupe. Inspired by Renoir and Degas paintings, the parade will bring the Belle Époque to Tai Kwun's Parade Ground from May 9 to 11, and May 13 to 18.
The French GourMay Food and Wine Festival will run throughout the month at more than 150 venues across Hong Kong and Macau. Photo: Le French May
The French GourMay Food & Wine Festival, an essential part of events for the past 15 editions, returns this year and will run throughout the month, at more than 150 venues across Hong Kong and Macau.
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