Filipino soprano Stefanie Quintin portrayed the title role of “Mila”, a domestic helper from the Philippines employed by a Hong Kong family. The story revolved around the personal and professional struggles of Mila who left her own family in the Philippines to work in the Territory and care for a child with suicidal tendencies.

Ms. Quintin received overwhelming praise from the audience who watched the chamber opera’s world premiere on 18 January with her moving performance and powerful voice.

“Mila” was staged by Asia Society Hong Kong Centre (ASHKC), and was written by Hong Kong playwright Candace Chong with music from American composer Eli Marshall.

The production, sung in Filipino, English and Cantonese, is the brainchild of ASHKC Executive Director Alice Mong who based “Mila” on the book by Hong Kong journalist So Mei Chi titled “Strangers at Home”.

Asia Society Hong Kong Centre invited Consul General Antonio A. Morales to the chamber opera’s full-packed world premiere. He underlined that Filipino talent is indeed world-class a Filipino soprano Stefanie Quintin topbilling an international chamber opera.

“Mila” ran from 18 to 21 January, and ASHKC Executive Director Mong expressed hope that the production will be staged at other Asia Society centers including those in Manila and New York.