Preview: Highlights of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra 2018/19 Season

  The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has released their entire 2018/19 season! Marking their 40th Anniversary, expect everything from the obligatory 40th Anniversary Gala to a Christmas Concert at the end of the year, alongside fresh, contemporary performances ranging from video game music all the way to orchestral reimaginations of Daft Punk and Radiohead. Read on to find out some of the highlights to look forward to … Continue reading Preview: Highlights of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra 2018/19 Season

Bernstein’s Mass: An Interview with Conductor Joshua Kangming Tan and Director Edith Podesta

As the Orchestra of the Music Makers commemorates their 10th anniversary in 2018, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a massive performance uniting some of the most diverse genres of music with composer Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. Best known for composing West Side Story, Bernstein’s Mass brings together Broadway, jazz, Western art music, epic chorus, orchestral works and more in this ambitious undertaking, and in its Singaporean premiere, … Continue reading Bernstein’s Mass: An Interview with Conductor Joshua Kangming Tan and Director Edith Podesta

Preview: Leonard Bernstein’s Mass by Orchestra of the Music Makers

Is there anything that Edith Podesta cannot do? After dipping her toes into directing opera last year with Hansel and Gretel, the critically acclaimed theatremaker will once again be teaming up with the Orchestra of Music Makers this June to present the Southeast Asian premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. First composed in 1971 at the behest of Jacqueline Kennedy for the inauguration of the John F. … Continue reading Preview: Leonard Bernstein’s Mass by Orchestra of the Music Makers

Review: Sensing the Dark (Esplanade’s Flipside 2018)

Darkness feels like an old friend in this concert with a twist.  Directed by Julian Wong with vocal direction by Irene Jansen, Sensing the Dark is a concert with a twist – the musicians and audience members are clothed under a blanket of darkness, initially with almost no light illuminating them as they begin to play. We’re not even privy to seeing their faces before the show … Continue reading Review: Sensing the Dark (Esplanade’s Flipside 2018)

Preview: Masterpieces by Gu Guan Ren 《蓝色畅想》by Ding Yi Music Company

  Ding Yi Music Company presents their latest show this June as they join forces with renowned composer Gu Guan Ren (顾冠仁) and present some of his best known works at the at the SCO Concert Hall for one night only! Titled Masterpieces by Gu Guan Ren, the concert has been organised as part of Ding Yi’s new “Composer Series” initiative, and will comprise of two segments – the … Continue reading Preview: Masterpieces by Gu Guan Ren 《蓝色畅想》by Ding Yi Music Company

Review: Masters of Comedy by Toy Factory

A loving tribute to Chinese comedians and comedy in all its forms.  In our childhood, we recall many nights glassy eyed and glued to the television while wolfing down our dinners. There’s a keen sense of nostalgia associated with the act of watching television, remembered mainly as a family activity and one of the few times we truly get to kick back, relax and just … Continue reading Review: Masters of Comedy by Toy Factory

Review: Super Mommy (我的妈妈是ENY?) by Resorts World Sentosa

Bringing in a musical with strong commercial acclaim seems like a recipe for success, particularly when it’s backed up by veteran artistes such as Nancy Sit. Super Mommy is Resorts World Sentosa’s latest show on their lineup, flown in straight from Taiwan and retaining much of the original creative team. These include Taiwanese director Lang Tsu Yun and music director Huang Yun Ling, while the cast is … Continue reading Review: Super Mommy (我的妈妈是ENY?) by Resorts World Sentosa

Toy Factory’s Masters of Comedy: An Interview with Judee Tan and Sugie Phua

As part of the Singapore Chinese Culture Centre’s Cultural Extravaganza, local theatre company Toy Factory has been specially commissioned to create opening show Masters of Comedy 《天才谐星》, premiering this week! Directed by Goh Boon Teck and written by Johsen Ong, the 90 minute show will be performed in Mandarin, and pay tribute to some of our most iconic local comedians, from Bai Yan all the way to Jack … Continue reading Toy Factory’s Masters of Comedy: An Interview with Judee Tan and Sugie Phua

SIFA 2018: Concluding Thoughts on A New Director and A New Festival

Nobody likes change. Humans are very much creatures of habit, and when things get shaken up, we naturally feel a little uncomfortable. So it comes as no surprise that when Gaurav Kripalani was first announced to take over as the new Festival Director of the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA) from 2018-2020, many reflected upon his appointment with a little hesitation and some … Continue reading SIFA 2018: Concluding Thoughts on A New Director and A New Festival

EUFF 2018: A Meeting with Paavo Westerberg, Director of The Violin Player (Finland)

It’s not everyday one gets invited to Finnish Ambassador Paula Parviainen’s own residence for lunch. Arriving at the brightly lit apartment in the afternoon, we were impressed by the gorgeous view and aptly decorated walls with paintings by Finnish artists. During lunch itself, plates bearing Moomin characters were even used, very appropriate, considering how they’re some of the most popular and recognisable characters originating from Finland. … Continue reading EUFF 2018: A Meeting with Paavo Westerberg, Director of The Violin Player (Finland)