Songs of Being【SPOTLIGHT: A Season of Performing Arts 2026】Tai Kwun

Good and evil, light and darkness, reality and ideal, being and non-being, innocence and experience—such eternal dichotomies can be readily observed in Songs of Innocence and of Experience, the poetry collection by English Romantic poet William Blake. The work also became the inspiration for Songs of Being, the debut collaboration between sought-after composer Daniel Lo, Hong Kong Arts Development Awards' Artist of the Year (Media Arts) Keith Lam, as well as celebrated choral conductor and musician Sanders Lau. This one-of-its-kind site-specific production seamlessly fuses contemporary music, choral singing and multimedia art to highlight the unique structure and aesthetics of this dual-faceted work.

Songs of Innocence and of Experience puts side by side two contrary states of humanity – the purity of the soul versus the dark side of reality. During the fear-ridden pandemic period, Daniel Lo revisited the classic and pondered on finding his safe haven amidst life's conflicts and absurdities. From the poem's contrasting and dualistic structure, he not only gained new insights for his compositions but also incorporated poetry into Songs of Being, which also carries cautionary undertones.

The performance takes place at two Tai Kwun venues of distinct architectural styles. Members of local choir NOĒMA weave the opposing states into a sonic tapestry that sets off each other like twin reflections. Within the contemporary JC Cube, four female vocalists harmonise hymns with their joyful, ethereal voices in praise of “innocence”; within the revitalised historic F Hall, two male vocalists make use of its echoey soundscape and evocative lighting to exemplify the atmospheric and emotional complexities of “experience”. As if travelling in and out of dreams, the audience are given a double taste of existence – the bliss of complete emptiness and a sense of oneness with the outer world.

Education Specials
Tailored for secondary and tertiary students, the Songs of Being Education Special offers young audiences an entry point into contemporary theatre through live performance. During the post-show sharing, the creative team will explain their process of reinterpreting literary classics into a multimedia musical work. The session will further explore how multimedia elements are woven into the distinct architectural characteristics of Tai Kwun’s venues to craft a site-specific theatre experience.

Please send your inquiry to performingarts@taikwunarts.hk for details of enrolment.

Date: 15 – 16.4.2026 (Wed-Thu)
Time: 3pm – 5pm
Venue: JC Cube
Group size: 80
Language: Cantonese

Remarks
- Duration: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes including a 15-minute interval
- No latecomers will be admitted
- Libretti in English with surtitles
- Recommended for ages 6 and above
- This performance contains the use of smoke and strobe light effects
- Audience is required to walk around various locations during the performance. Comfortable clothing is recommended and please assess your physical condition if it is suitable for participation
- Programmes are subject to change without prior notice. Tai Kwun reserves the right to make the final decision regarding the arrangements.
- Free seating