David Stern, the current Music Director of the Israel Opera, was invited to Hong Kong in June to conduct the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in a special concert entitled Mozart vs Salieri. This was a recreation of the contest in 1786 between the two rival opera composers.

The concert was held at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall on 14 -15 June. The programme included Salieri’s Prima la musica e poi le parole and Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor. The event included a special appearance from Soprano Sara Hershkowitz, from the US. Hershkowitz was engaged as a principle artist at the Bremen Opera from 2007-2012 and the recipient of two nominations in Opernwelt for Singer of the Year, for her portrayal of Zaidein the German Premiere of Mozart/Czernowin’s Zaide/Adama, and also for Donna Anna in Don Giovanni.

She was joined by Soprano artists Natalie Pérez and Chantal Santon Jeffery from France. Other artists in the concert included Yong Chen, Tenor, Virgile Ancely, bass- baritone and Pierrick Boisseau, baritone.

Sin Chun Tung played Mr Elier in Der Schauspieldirektor and Pichead Amornsomboon as Mr Frank in Der Schauspieldirektor.