The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will begin its 2018-19 Concert Season, themed “Music Gala 35: Music Fills the City”, in September. In celebration of its 35th anniversary, a number of prominent musicians were invited to bring music aficionados a variety of excellent performances. As part of this concert season, a new “Young Audience Programme” will be launched, offering young music aficionados a series of educational and outreach activities, as well as a special edition of the Macau Pass to spread classical music everywhere. Furthermore, the OM has commissioned outstanding contemporary Chinese composer Wang Xilin a new work for its 35th anniversary, aiming to celebrate the special occasion with music aficionados. Tickets for the new concert season will be on sale at the Macau Ticketing Network from 1 July, and an early bird discount of 40% will be available, subject to certain criteria, between 1 July and 31 August.
The launch of the Macao Orchestra 2018-19 Concert Season was held on 20 June, at 3:30pm, at the Mandarin Oriental Macau Ocean Room, and was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian; the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, Lu Jia; the General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Macau, Jill Goh; the Chief Executive Officer of Air Macau Company Limited, Chen Hong; the Deputy General Manager of Bank of China (Macau Branch), Chan Hio Peng; the Assistant to Chief Executive Officer of Air Macau Company Limited, Wen Dexin; the Senior Manager of the Customer Service Department of the MOME Ltd., Chiang Man Ieng; the President of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Nie Bing; the Head of the Department of Performing Arts Development of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Iu Wai Man; the Director of the School of Music of the Macao Conservatory, Liu Mingyan; the General Manager of the Macao Orchestra, Rebecca Chou Wai In; the Assistant Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, Francis Kan; the local illustrator Leong Kin; and the Concertmaster of the Macao Orchestra, Paolo Morena.
World-leading musicians and rising stars perform in Macao
A variety of captivating performances will be held in the new concert season. The opening concert “Sergei Rachmaninoff by Barry Douglas” will be jointly presented as a Russian musical feast for the audience by Barry Douglas, the internationally renowned winner of the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, and the Macao Orchestra. Notable Chinese soprano He Hui, who was nominated for the “You Bring Charm to the World Award”, will join hands with conductor Arvo Volmer to bring the audience the high-class “Starry Vienna – New Year Concert”.
Talented Chinese violinist Tianwa Yang will make her debut in Macao and present the Symphonie Espagnole in tribute to the unique charm of the music of German composer Richard Strauss. Macao young conductor Lio Kuokman and pianist Chen Sa will jointly present the “Valentine’s Day Concert – Piano in Love”. World famous Italian bassoonist Sergio Azzolini will also debut in Macao. Legendary violinist Kyung Wha Chung will present Beethoven’s timeless masterpiece, the Violin Concerto in D Major, at the closing performance. In addition, OM will offer music aficionados a large and creative multimedia concert entitled “National Geographic: Symphony for Our World”, featuring a number of great German and Austrian classical works.
Salute to Richard Strauss in collaboration with orchestras of Mainland China
In order to commemorate the 70th anniversary of German composer Richard Strauss’s death, OM will introduce the unique charm of his music in various concerts in the new concert season. Two classical symphonic poems, Don Juan and Tod und Verklarung, will be successively presented, as well as the work An Alpine Symphony, a large-scale composition to be performed in collaboration with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. Moreover, OM will join hands with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra to present Bruckner’s masterpiece, the Symphony No. 8 in C Minor, in a magnificent concert not to be missed.
Launch of the “Young Audience Programme” broadens the young audience’s horizons
In line with the theme “Music Gala 35: Music Fills the City”, OM launches the “Young Audience Programme”, offering young music aficionados a series of educational and outreach activities, aiming at developing young people’s ability to appreciate and broaden their horizons in culture and arts. The programme is open to all full-time students aged 25 or below. Admission is free. The “OM Young Friends” will not only enjoy 55% discounts on ticket purchases, but can also join various music activities such as “OM Little Reporter”, “Meet the Artists” and “Pre-Concert Talks” to collect points for winning prizes.
Various discounts as a reward for music aficionados’ support
Tickets for the new concert season will be on sale from 10am on 1 July (Sunday) at the Macau Ticketing Network. Ticket sales for the programmes of the Macao International Music Festival and the Macao Arts Festival will be announced at a later stage. For updated information, please visit OM’s official website or the Macau Ticketing Network website. 40% early bird discounts will be offered from 1 July to 31 August, when four or more persons purchase tickets at the same time, or on tickets for all concerts for purchases with the “OM Friend”, “CCM Friend” or “Friend of the Macao Chinese Orchestra” cards. A 30% discount will be offered from 1 September onwards. A 40% discount will also be available for purchasers of four or more tickets for any concerts of the “Chamber Voyage” series. Holders of BOC Credit Card or BOC card will receive a 30% discount on tickets for special programmes, as well as a 20% discount on tickets for all non-special programmes. A 20% discount on tickets for all programmes will be available for purchases with a valid Macao Teacher Card, MasterCard, Visa Card or UnionPay Card from ICBC (Macau), BCM Bank, OCBC Wing Hang or Tai Fung Bank. A 50% discount will also be offered to holders of a valid full-time Student Card, Macao Senior Citizen Card or Disability Assessment Registration Card. For more information, please refer to OM’s concert season booklet.
Macao Orchestra’s 2018-19 concert season counts with the support of Mandarin Oriental Macau, Bank of China (Macau Branch) as its special bank partner, and MOME Ltd. as its mobile media partner. The new 2018-19 Concert Season booklets can be obtained at the Macau Ticketing Network outlets for free. The electronic version can be downloaded on OM’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/om. For more information and enquiries, please contact OM through tel. no. 2853 0782 during office hours. 24-hour ticketing hotline: 2855 5555; online ticket reservation is available at www.macauticket.com.
