The Italian Cultural Institute and Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong recently held the first performance of Donizetti’s “Rita” in Hong Kong. Audiences who missed out on this historic event will get a chance to check out the opera when it streams on RTHK on Jan. 30, 2021.

Eventually, that performance will be made more widely available by the Italian Cultural Institute.

“We have found no record of previous productions of ‘Rita’ in either Hong Kong or, more widely, China, making this the premiere,” stated Stefano Fossati, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute. “’Rita’ is a small gem, easily accessible to audiences who might not be regular opera-goers. The video and TV broadcast will, we hope, help introduce Italian opera to an even wider audience.”

The opera starred Etta Fung, one of Hong Kong’s leading sopranos, in the title role. As Beppe, audiences heard Chen Yong, while the role of Gaspar featured Isaac Droscha. Musical direction was provided by Marco Iannelli and stage direction by Peter Gordon, who also wrote the English dialogue for the opera.