Hong Kong’s new Chinese opera centre will be run by an American, and local performers aren’t happy
Industry veteran says appointing foreign art director a blow to local performers
Cantonese opera performers in Hong Kong said they were “extremely disappointed” after the job of running the city’s new showcase for the traditional art form went to an American.
A stalwart of the local opera industry said Beijing-based consultant Alison Friedman’s appointment to the post contradicted promises by the arts chief that the West Kowloon Cultural District, where the Xiqu Centre will stand, would nurture local talent.
The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, which represents more than 1,000 Cantonese opera performers, said in a statement that it had expected the job of Chinese opera chief to be separate from posts overseeing other art forms.
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But the position has been bundled in with others, to be held by one person.
That person will be Friedman, whom the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority appointed last Wednesday as director of performing arts, leading its Chinese opera, dance, theatre and music teams.
The new director will oversee productions at the Xiqu Centre, the district’s Chinese opera venue, which is still under construction and is expected to open late next year.
Liza Wang Ming-chun, a long-time chairwoman of the association and a renowned local performer, said the authority had pledged to appoint an independent art director for the Xiqu Centre.
