Feature: Audiences from the “Sound of Music” tour in Hong Kong sing “Edelweiss”
On April 16, actors performed song and dance excerpts from “The Sound of Music” at the performance press conference. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Duo
Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, April 18. Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Qiantian
“Edelweiss, Edelweiss…” the familiar melody sounded, immersing the entire theater in a touch of warmth. The audience applauded enthusiastically and sang along with empathy. The scene was warm and moving.
On the evening of the 18th, the Broadway musical “The Sound of Music” held its premiere at the Xiqu Center Grand Theater in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District. During the 165-minute performance, live band performance, more than 10 household-known hits, and heart-warming performances by talented actors allowed Hong Kong audiences to relive this story that once brought countless beautiful moments.
Among the audience who came to watch the performance, there were young audiences who came to the theater because of their childhood memories, a family of three who brought their children to experience the first musical in their lives, and even three generations of grandparents and grandchildren who enjoyed the performance happily.
“When I was a kid, what I wanted most after watching “The Sound of Music” was to be a child of Colonel von Trapp’s family.” Aunt Zhou, 60, who came from Kennedy Town, learned about the Broadway version of “The Sound of Music” After the performance started in Hong Kong, she bought tickets without hesitation to experience the charm of a live performance. “This is the original English version, so I may not understand everything, but music is a common language around the world, so I’m looking forward to it.”
On the stage, the moving music, exquisite choreography, and atmospheric lighting design make the audience feel like they are in the snowy mountains and pastoral scenery of Austria.
“We hope that our childhood memories can also create beautiful memories for our children.” Ms. Fu, a Hong Kong citizen, brought her two children to watch the performance. She said that when she watched the musical again after becoming a parent, she was able to appreciate the rich cultural connotation and profound educational significance of the play. “I was moved by the equal communication between Maria and her children, and deeply inspired by the changes that music and art can bring to families.”
Many young viewers told reporters that “Doremi” was the first English song they learned. They said: “I have heard many songs and can sing them!” “The children on the stage were singing and dancing at the same time. The performance was so exciting.”
Actors perform song and dance excerpts from “The Sound of Music” at the show press conference. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Duo
2024 coincides with the 65th anniversary of the musical’s premiere. The Hong Kong performance of this international tour is jointly produced by Broadway International Group and China International Culture Group, a subsidiary of Bauhinia Cultural Group. The performance market in Hong Kong received an enthusiastic response. Previously, the organizers decided to add 24 more performances until June 9 at the request of the audience.
“Hong Kong is still an unparalleled international market.” Simone Genat, the global producer of the musical, said that it is very meaningful to perform this musical permanently at the Xiqu Center of the West Kowloon Cultural District. “From a Cantonese opera to an international production, I look forward to attracting a group of Hong Kong audiences to watch a Broadway musical in this very local place.”
Jack O’Brien, director of the musical, came to Hong Kong for the first time. He lamented the high degree of openness and internationalization of this beautiful city. “I think Hong Kong’s idea of becoming a literary and art center is extremely powerful. This city has a high level of cultural literacy and the quality of urban development is also very high. When I came here, I had the urge to create, and I was really excited.”
At the end of the performance, in order to close the distance with the audience, the actors also brought a special curtain call to the Hong Kong audience – the actor who played the colonel in the play said to the audience in Cantonese: “Please everyone sing with us.” The whole audience was moved. boiling. When the melody of “Edelweiss” and “Doremi” sounded, the audience sang together, and the applause and cheers became louder and louder…