German actors perform in The Merry Widow
Ten-time Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin is one of the world's best known jazz artistes
The Compania Nacional de Danza integrates classical and contemporary dance

"The Festival is one of Hong Kong's world-class events and acknowledged as the pre-eminent festival in the region," said Mr Lee."The programme for the 32nd Arts Festival, [3 February to 7 March 2004] is rich and diverse, catering to different tastes and preferences, and offering something for everyone," he added.
 
The 2004 Hong Kong Arts Festival offers a total of 110 performances with 36 performing groups, as well as a "Festival Plus" programme of talks, seminars, meet the artiste sessions and exhibitions.

The theme for this Festival is "families", said executive director Douglas Gautier.  "The Families theme is reflected in the content of the music, theatre and dance programmes, notably in Romeo and Juliet, in Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, Tokyo Notes - about relationships in modern Japan, and satires on family and money in The Merry Widow and A Small Family Business."

Mr Gautier said some of the great international ensembles joining the Festival are themselves artistic families with long and valued traditions - including the Komische Oper Berlin, the China National Beijing Opera Theatre, The Peking Opera House of Beijing and the London Symphony Orchestra. Performers from Senegal, Brazil, the Caribbean and Cuba will also feature at the festival.

Additionally, the music of the Bach family runs throughout the Festival, featuring strongly in the performances of the Zurich Ballet and the Compania Nacional de Danza. Jazz programmes include Wayne Shorter and Bobby McFerrin.

"The Hong Kong Festival has its own special blend," said Mr Gautier. "The festival brings together various genres to create events and performances that people won't see anywhere else."

For more information click  Hong Kong Arts Festival