Italian Opera Comes Alive at PolyU: Scènes de la vie de Bohème Sparks Campus Excitement
Outreach
On 30 May 2026, the Jockey Club Auditorium at PolyU hosted Scènes de la vie de Bohème, a moving adaptation of Puccini's classic opera. Presented by the French May Arts Festival, the Department of English and Communication (ENGL), which offers the Minor in European Studies, PolyU’s CPEO and Opera Hong Kong, the performance told the story of young Chinese artists finding their way in Paris between the wars.
This French-sung production used the 1898 edition by Paul Ferrier — believed to be its first performance in Asia. The 90-minute programme, accompanied by pianist Arièle Zanini, drew an audience of almost 600.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of responses saying they would recommend the event. Notably, the Master of Ceremonies, along with several ushers and backstage helpers, were students from the Department of English and Communication, showcasing our students' active role in bringing European culture to campus.
