‘Father of Hong Kong opera’, 79, laments that he may ‘not live to see an opera house’ at the West Kowloon Cultural District

Professor Lo King-man is preparing for his latest production of Italian opera La Bohème, and says nothing has been done at arts hub to create a venue for Western opera

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Lo King-man prepares for his latest production of Italian opera La Bohème. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Oliver Chou

Published: 6:45pm, 9 Dec 2017Updated: 10:13pm, 9 Dec 2017

The man dubbed the “father of Hong Kong opera” shows no sign of slowing down ahead of his 80th birthday.

As Professor Lo King-man geared up for the opening night on Friday of his latest rendition of La Bohème, the opera guru had plenty to say about the city’s arts scene and its controversial new hub, the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Lo, who has more than 200 productions under his belt, is upbeat about his coming interpretation of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved story of poverty-stricken 1870s Paris youths, which he is staging for his annual operatic production at Hong Kong’s City Hall.

But he is less optimistic about the future of Western opera at the West Kowloon arts hub.

“After so many years of delays, there has been nothing done about a performing venue at West Kowloon, except for the Xiqu Centre,” Lo says.

Lo during rehearsals at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The Xiqu Centre will host traditional Chinese operas and is due to open next year.