Dream Academy’s Broadway Beng: An Interview with Sebastian Tan

In many ways, Broadway Beng seems eternal. Having debuted in 2006, the dapper, Hokkien-spouting, Broadway/West End musical-lovin’ ‘beng’ has become something of a national icon in his own right, winning the hearts of countless aunties, xiao mei meis and men alike with his swagger and charm. But unlike an icon such as say, James Bond and how the character changes actors every few years, Broadway Beng can and will … Continue reading Dream Academy’s Broadway Beng: An Interview with Sebastian Tan

Neon Lights 2019: Mumford & Sons Announced as Headline Act For 23rd November

Singapore’s premier music and arts festival Neon Lights returns to Fort Canning Park this November, playing for two days (23rd and 24th November 2019) and bringing some of the world’s most exciting acts to Singapore. The first artist to join this year’s host of international and global musicians is Brit and Grammy-Award winning British band Mumford & Sons, where Neon Lights 2019 will mark their first ever show … Continue reading Neon Lights 2019: Mumford & Sons Announced as Headline Act For 23rd November

Preview: Kerson Leong Plays Schumann presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

At just 22 years of age, Canadian violinist Kerson Leong’s fast-rising career has taken the world by storm, and brought him to the world’s leading venues, from Carnegie to Wigmore. This August, he makes his Singapore debut with Schumann’s Violin Concerto – written in 1853 and subsequently lost for over 80 years, whose recovery was shrouded in ghostly mysteries and intrigue. Conducted by renowned Finnish … Continue reading Preview: Kerson Leong Plays Schumann presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra

TheatreWorks’ N.O.W. 2019 Opens

The first edition of TheatreWorks’ N.O.W. programme kicked off on 10th July at 72-13, the home of Theatreworks. Headed by Noorlinah Mohamed, N.O.W. 2019 is set to be the first part of a three year interdisciplinary project focused entirely on spotlighting women creators, thinkers and change-makers, not just in the arts, but across all Singapore industries. Nowhere was this dedication to showcasing women of all backgrounds … Continue reading TheatreWorks’ N.O.W. 2019 Opens

Singapore Symphony Names Hans Graf as New Chief Conductor

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has announced Austrian maestro Hans Graf as its Chief Conductor. Graf will assume the role from the 2020/21 concert season, beginning mid-2020. In Graf, SSO has appointed an internationally established maestro with highly regarded expertise in core orchestral repertoire. His background and work in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz makes him especially at home in Austro-German repertoire that is crucial in developing … Continue reading Singapore Symphony Names Hans Graf as New Chief Conductor

Preview: Baybeats 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

  2018 may have seen the last of the Esplanade’s iconic Powerhouse stage (which has since become a construction site for the up and coming Waterfront Theatre), but that certainly isn’t any deterrence to the Baybeats festival itself, marking a return for its 18th edition this August! As Singapore’s largest free alternative music festival, Baybeats has come to be loved by music fans for the … Continue reading Preview: Baybeats 2019 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Preview: Steven Osborne plays Mozart presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

This July,  award-winning pianist Steven Osborne, “one of Britain’s most treasured musicians”, comes to town to play Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12, a standout work of lyrical peace and effusive melody. During the concert, be sure to also look out for Rossini’s Overture to The Silken Ladder, Kernis’ Musica celestis, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 98 in B-flat major. Steven Osborne’s insightful and idiomatic interpretations of diverse repertoire show an immense … Continue reading Preview: Steven Osborne plays Mozart presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Preview: VCHpresents 2019/20 Season presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

The Victoria Concert Hall has announced its brand new VCHpresents 2019/20 seaso, marking the fifth anniversary of its re-opening. The season will include a range of performances that explore the chamber music repertoire, solo voice recitals, more intimate happenings, and two music festivals. The VCHpresents Chamber series promises to be Singapore’s widest offering of chamber music at the highest level – from western classical strings and … Continue reading Preview: VCHpresents 2019/20 Season presented by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Review: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

An epic, joyous production elevating the art of drumming to new heights.  There are some productions that can only be described as nothing more than pure joy to watch. Fatih – The Prince and the Drum, happens to be one such production, as it cleverly uses a mix of Malay percussion, song, martial arts and staging to make a familiar tale of a fallen prince seeking … Continue reading Review: Fatih – The Prince and the Drum by NADI Singapura (Pesta Raya 2019)

Review: The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)

Clear direction and precise choreography make this highly spiritual work a success. Transitioning from one medium to another can be a daunting task, with the biggest question being “what does the new form add that the old one did not?” But for Indonesian director Kamila Andini, the answer to that is clear, with the stage adaptation of her 2017 film The Seen and Unseen. Born out … Continue reading Review: The Seen and Unseen (Sekala Niskala) by Kamila Andini (Pesta Raya 2019)