The Macao Orchestra (OM), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, was invited by the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts to participate in the rehearsals and performance of the Grand Original Opera – The Diaries of John Rabe in Nanjing from 27 November to 16 December, in order to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre victims. Eighteen OM elite musicians, including Section Principals, will join hands with members of famous arts groups from Jiangsu Province, offering local citizens an artistic performance of great significance.
The Grand Original Opera – The Diaries of John Rabe comprises a group of elite artists, including renowned Chinese composer Tang Jianping, young writer Zhou Ke, acclaimed opera director Elijah Moshinsky, OM’s Musical Director and Principal Conductor, Lu Jia, several artists from China, United Kingdom, USA, Germany and Australia, as well as stage design, props and lighting professionals from internationally renowned leading companies. In addition, the art troupes involved in this opera include the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group (JPAG) Symphony Orchestra, the Opera and Dance Drama Theatre of the JPAG, the Student Choir Group of the School of Music of the Nanjing Normal University and the Macao Orchestra. The opera has a strong cast and will undoubtedly be an impressive high-quality large-scale event.
The opera Grand Original Opera – The Diaries of John Rabe is based on John Rabe’s eponymous book, a collection of the author’s personal experience on the Nanjing Massacre, which has great historical and literary value and is also an important source on this historical episode. This extraordinary performance with great significance will debut on the National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre on 13 December at the Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts.
