It’s the time of year when the Hong Kong community celebrates French music, dance, theatre, art, and gastronomy with the French May Arts Festival – a cultural event which over the past three decades has become one of the largest in Asia. This year, French May will be an especially auspicious celebration at The Peninsula Hong Kong, as 2023 marks both the 30th year of the festival in Hong Kong and the 95th anniversary of the legendary hotel, long known as the city’s Grande Dame.
In honour of this occasion, The Peninsula Hong Kong will once again partner with French May to present an exceptional experience to its guests: “Une Soirée en Musique,” an exclusive one-hour performance by Keren Ann accompanied by the Debussy String Quartet, followed by dinner at the hotel’s famed top-floor Felix restaurant. The one-night-only event will take place on Saturday, 24 June 2023.
Throughout its rich and colourful history, The Peninsula Hong Kong has always been a strong advocate for the appreciation of art and culture as part of its storied heritage and continues to bring its guests some of the finest performances by both local and international artists.
Keren Ann is an acclaimed Israeli-born singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and engineer who to date has released eight solo albums. Her music has been featured in TV series including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Six Feet Under,” and in movies including “Love Me No More” (2008). She has also written music for other prominent international artists and contributed to a number of soundtracks.
Keren Ann will perform at Felix with the equally highly acclaimed Debussy String Quartet, which in its 30 years of activity has presented its repertoire on the world’s most prestigious stages. The Quartet has won numerous awards, including a First Prize in the Evian International String Quartet Competition in 1993 and a Victoire de la Musique (Best Chamber Music Group) in 1996. The Quartet comprises Christophe Collette and Emmanuel Bernard on violin, Vincent Deprecq on viola, and Cédric Conchon on cello.
This much-anticipated performance will feature Keren Ann on vocals and guitar in pure, magnetic alchemy with the Debussy String Quartet, showcasing all-new original versions of such Keren Ann classics as “Not Going Anywhere,” “Strange Weather,” and “Jardin d’Hiver.”
Doors open at 4:30 pm, and as a prelude to the performance, guests will be served creative welcome drinks curated by The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Head Mixologist, François Cavelier. Keren Ann and the Debussy String Quartet will then take the stage at 5:00 pm. Following the one-hour musical feast for the ears, Felix’s newly appointed and highly celebrated French Chef de Cuisine, Aurélie Altemaire, will take the spotlight by presenting a five-course culinary feast. The menu will feature exquisitely paired fine wines handpicked by another French national, Chef Sommelier Marc Le Gallic.
The “Une Soirée en Musique” menu with wine pairing is as follows:
Fougasse, Ibérico Ham Puff, Artichoke Tartinade
Nadeson Calls Inception, Geelong, Australia N.V
French Foie Gras Terrine, Strawberry Jelly, Verbena
Georg Breuer G.B. Charm Riesling, Rheingau, Germany 2020
Kristal Caviar, Hokkaido Scallop Bread, Lobster Bisque
Domaine Les Poëte, “Argos,” Vin de France 2018
Spanish Meagre à la Plancha, Piperade, Sobrasada Emulsion
Old Vines Semillon, Matias Riccitelli, Patagonia, Argentina, 2022
Grilled A4 Kagoshima Tenderloin, Darphin Potato, Morello Cherry Jus
Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux, L’Aurage, Bordeaux, France 2014
French Rhubarb, Lemon Posset, Buckwheat Tuile, Grenadine Ice Cream
Felix Lemon Cake
Coffee or Proprietary Peninsula Teas
