SSO Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

On 18th January, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) marked its 40th year with a concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was guest of honour. The programme was led by Music Director Lan Shui, and recalled the orchestra’s inaugural concert in 1979, with Ives’ The Unanswered Question and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 performed by Singaporean pianist Lim Yan. The SSO also performed Dayong Sampan Overture – … Continue reading SSO Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Preview: La Cage aux Folles by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (Hong Kong)

HONG KONG – Six-time Tony-winning Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles has graced countless stages around the world, not to mention garnered a triple Oscar-nominated film and multiple localized adaptations in Singapore from acclaimed local company W!ld Rice. Now, Hong Kong is ready to welcome new audience members into the hottest club of all, as the spectacular drag star Zaza and her Cagelles offer up titillating entertainment at … Continue reading Preview: La Cage aux Folles by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (Hong Kong)

Preview: Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2019 by Ding Yi Music Company

Ding Yi Music Company returns this February, opening their 2019 season with their annual Happy Chinese New Year concert! Playing at the China Cultural Centre Theatre once again, this year’s edition of the festive places a stronger focus on Singaporean talent and composers, Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2019 will feature a repertoire of favourite Mandopop and classic Chinese music, from Liu Chang’s Rippling Brook Capriccio《小河淌水随想曲》to … Continue reading Preview: Happy Chinese New Year Concert 2019 by Ding Yi Music Company

Preview: VCH Organ Series – Thomas Trotter – Arrival, 1819 by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

As part of their VCH Organ Series, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra presents esteemed British virtuoso organist, Thomas Trotter, in an evening recital of organ greats. Playing tunes from Bach’s Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, to Ginastera to Liszt, get set for an evening of celebrating familiar and famous British tunes, including the glittering magnificence of Holst’s Jupiter and the regal grandeur of Elgar’s … Continue reading Preview: VCH Organ Series – Thomas Trotter – Arrival, 1819 by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: Christopher Park Plays Mozart by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Described as “A pianist like a thunderbolt” (Der Tagesspiegel), Christopher Park is set to bring his transcendent playing to Singapore and captivate audiences with his fascinating technical mastery and astounding musical maturity come next February. Performing over two nights at the Victoria Concert Hall, Park and the SSO will be directed by the esteemed veteran conductor Bruno Weil, 69, renowned exponent of the music of … Continue reading Preview: Christopher Park Plays Mozart by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: An Unjust Good Fellow by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (Hong Kong)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre is set to restage their critically-acclaimed, sold out production of Callas Cheang’s An Unjust Good Fellow this December. Directed by Octavian Chan, the play follows the tale of Pastor Cheung Yu (Ben Yuen) as he returns to his hometown, a metropolis where he reunites with his childhood friend Ho Cheong (Sung Boon Ho). Hunchback granny Chan Hei (Man Sui Hing) … Continue reading Preview: An Unjust Good Fellow by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (Hong Kong)

Preview: SSO 40th Anniversary Gala

4 decades is a long time to be making music, and come January 2019, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating their 40th anniversary with a gala concert featuring the meditative mysteries of Ives’ The Unanswered Question and the majestic strides of Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto, significant for being two of the pieces played at their inaugural concert back on 24th January 1979. That concert … Continue reading Preview: SSO 40th Anniversary Gala

Preview: Lan Shui’s Farewell – Mahler’s Resurrection by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

In his final concerts as Music Director of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Lan Shui directs his swansong in the form of Mahler’s monumental Resurrection Symphony, a work close to his heart. Having served as Music Director of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra since 1997, Lan Shui has been described as having “turned a good regional orchestra into a world-class ensemble that plays its heart out at … Continue reading Preview: Lan Shui’s Farewell – Mahler’s Resurrection by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: Red Balloon Concert Series by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

As 2019 approaches, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is set to launch an all new concert series. Titled Red Balloon, the series features a host of exciting international guest artistes set to defy genre, and audiences should prepare only to be surprised. Red Balloon opens mid-January with Reich in 60 Minutes. At the centre of this concert is of course, Steve Reich, one of America’s greatest and most influential living composers, … Continue reading Preview: Red Balloon Concert Series by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: Tine Thing Helseth – Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Acclaimed Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth makes her Singapore debut next January as she presents one of the best-loved of 20th century trumpet showpieces: Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Conducted by former Chief Conductor to the Basque National Orchestra Jun Märkl, Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto is best known as a vigorous display of Armenian lyricism and flavour. Other songs in the lineup include the … Continue reading Preview: Tine Thing Helseth – Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto by Singapore Symphony Orchestra