Fasten your seatbelt: the Hong Kong Philharmonic is turning the concert hall into a cinema this August. From Gladiators to Valkyries is a high-octane, hour-long ride through film scores and orchestral blockbusters — from Hans Zimmer's Gladiator to Wagner's thundering Ride of the Valkyries. It plays the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 27 and 28 August 2026, and with no interval and an ages-6-and-up welcome, it is one of the most accessible nights the orchestra offers.
In This Guide
What is From Gladiators to Valkyries?
It is a pops-style orchestral concert built for maximum drama. Part of the HK Phil's relaxed Swire Denim Series, the programme threads together the big, cinematic moments of the repertoire — circus marches, film scores and operatic fireworks — into a single, fast-moving hour. Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman (廖國敏) leads.
Here is why it is an easy sell, even if you have never been to a classical concert: it runs about 60 minutes with no interval, it welcomes ages 6 and up, and every piece is a tune you will half-recognise. If you are building a wider culture weekend, pair it with our guide to the city's best live music venues or what is on at the best museums in Hong Kong.
What is on the programme?
The billing runs, roughly, from the arena to the opera house. Expect Zimmer's Gladiator early and Wagner's Valkyries to land the finale, with a jazzy clarinet detour and a showpiece for four trombones in between.
From Gladiators to Valkyries: the programme
| Composer | Work |
|---|---|
| Fučík | Entrance of the Gladiators, Op. 68 |
| Hans Zimmer | Gladiator selections |
| Artie Shaw | Concerto for Clarinet (soloist: Andrew Simon) |
| Khachaturian | Gayane: Sabre Dance |
| Koetsier | Concertino for Four Trombones and Strings: movement I |
| Saint-Saëns | Samson et Dalila: Danse Bacchanale |
| Wagner | Die Walküre: Ride of the Valkyries |
Programme as listed by the HK Phil, July 2026, and subject to change. Principal Clarinet Andrew Simon is the soloist in the Artie Shaw concerto.
The clarinet spotlight goes to Principal Clarinet Andrew Simon in Artie Shaw's jazzy concerto, while the HK Phil's trombone section takes the Koetsier concertino — a playful showcase of brass virtuosity that few concerts ever put centre stage.
How do you get tickets and get there?
Tickets go on sale at URBTIX from 6 August 2026, priced HK$220, $320, $420 and $520. With only two performances and a family-friendly running time, the cheaper tiers can move quickly, so book early if you want them. Ticketing enquiries go through URBTIX on 3166 1100; programme enquiries are on 2721 2332.
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall (香港文化中心音樂廳) sits on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront at 10 Salisbury Road, right by the Star Ferry. It is a short walk from the MTR, and the harbour views on the way in are a free warm-up act.
From Gladiators to Valkyries: the essentials
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | 27 & 28 August 2026 (Thu & Fri), 7:30pm |
| Venue | HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall (香港文化中心音樂廳) |
| Address | 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Nearest MTR | East Tsim Sha Tsui, Exit J (about 5 minutes) |
| Tickets | HK$220 / $320 / $420 / $520 (URBTIX, from 6 Aug) |
| Running time | About 60 minutes, no interval; ages 6+ |
Details as published by the HK Phil, July 2026. Confirm on the orchestra's site before booking.
Chasing more live music this season? See our round-up of the best concerts in Hong Kong in 2026, the best live music venues, and the best musicals and theatre coming to town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book from 6 August
Set a reminder, grab the tier you want when URBTIX opens, and arrive early for the harbour view. From Gladiators to Valkyries is an hour of pure cinematic spectacle — the easiest way into the HK Phil this summer.