Acclaimed American organist Cameron Carpenter is set to premiere a newly composed live score to the classic Chinese silent film Sports Queen on February 28, 2026 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
As part of the 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), this one-night-only event features a special screening of the 1934 film, which follows a spirited young woman’s journey in athletics amid the temptations of fame.
Performed on the grand Rieger organ at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, this must-see programme promises an evening of cinematic storytelling for fans of classic cinema and groundbreaking music alike.
The Grammy-Nominated Virtuoso Behind the Organ
Cameron Carpenter is an American organist and composer celebrated as one of the most revolutionary figures in classical music. Over the past two decades, he has challenged traditional perceptions of the organ, often referred to as the King of Instruments, pushing boundaries with virtuosic technique and bold reinterpretations of canonical works.
He made history as the first organist nominated for a Grammy for a solo album and is known for his avant-garde style and charismatic performances. Carpenter has toured major stages worldwide, including previous appearances at HKAF in 2023, where he performed live scores to two silent film classics: Buster Keaton’s The General (1926) and Metropolis (1927).
An Evening of Silent Film and Live Organ Music
For one night only, the Queen of Sports will meet the King of Instruments, as the organist performs his original composition live on the magnificent Rieger organ, one of Asia’s finest instruments with four manuals, one pedal board, 93 stops, and more than 8,000 pipes.
The screening features the early Chinese silent film Sports Queen, directed by Sun Yu and starring Li Lili as a spirited young woman from the countryside who moves to Shanghai to pursue sprinting. Her natural talent propels her to stardom as she shatters records, but she also grapples with fame, jealousy, urban temptations, and competitive pressures. The film will include Chinese and English subtitles.
Carpenter will also host a free pre-concert talk, Breaking Boundaries with the Organ, as well as an organ masterclass on the Rieger organ. On March 3, he joins pianist Chiyan Wong and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to showcase their virtuosic skills in the Music Without Borders series.
| Event: | Organist Cameron Carpenter at the Movies: Sports Queen |
| When: | February 28, 2026; 7pm (Approximately 1 hr 40 minutes, no interval) |
| Where: | Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre |
| Tickets: | HK$460, HK$380, HK$300, HK$240. Student discount available. Tickets available now via URBTIX |
| Website: | https://visit.hkaf.org/qnwnql |
Image credits: Dovile Sermokas, China Film Archive, Leisure and Cultural Services Departmen, Hong Kong Arts Festival