The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Returns To The Xinghai Concert Hall In Guangzhou

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is committed to participate in cultural exchange work, to showcase the artistic excellence of Hong Kong around the world. With the promulgation of the "Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area", and being the arts and culture ambassador of Hong Kong, the HK Phil is dedicated to promoting cultural exchange activities and developing audiences in the Greater Bay Area. The Orchestra staged a fantastic performance at the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou on 7 March. The HK Phil is the first Hong Kong arts group to perform in the Greater Bay Area since the promulgation of the "Outline Development Plan". The concert was led by the Orchestra's Concertmaster Jing Wang, who was joined by Hong Kong young pianist Rachel Cheung, finalist and Audience Award winner at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The programme included popular pieces by Mozart (Cosi fan tutte Overture), Beethoven (Piano Concerto no. 4) and Tchaikovsky (Serenade for Strings). The concert was well received by the audience with rounds of thunderous applause.

Ms. Liu Ying, Vice President of Xinghai Performing Arts Group and Director of Xinghai Concert Hall, said, "We enjoyed this great performance with wonderful expression by the Orchestra! The HK Phil showed excellent cooperation and harmony even without a conductor in the performance, demonstrating world-class standard as a symphony orchestra."

The HK Phil's performance in Guangzhou was supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Before the concert, representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Guangdong, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Guangzhou Municipal Government; Consulate Generals and Consuls of different countries in Guangzhou; representatives from Chambers of Commerce; Xinghai Concert Hall representatives; the HK Phil's senior management, Concertmaster Jing Wang and players, as well as pianist Rachel Cheung, attended the reception hosted by the GDETO, meeting with figures from the political, economic, social and cultural scenes, promoting the artistic excellence of the HK Phil as well as Hong Kong.

At the reception, Mr. Albert Tang, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong and Mr. Y. S. Liu, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society gave speeches to welcome the guests.

Mr. Albert Tang, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, said, "In recent years, the Hong Kong SAR Government has devoted substantial resources towards developing the arts and culture. Externally, the Government is supporting and encouraging arts groups to stage performances and exchange activities outside Hong Kong. Internally, the Government is building more cultural facilities in the city. Last month, the Central Government promulgated the 'Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area', which calls for joint efforts to promote cultural development, including support for exchanges between arts organisations and groups, schools for the performing arts, and cultural institutions and museums in the Greater Bay Area. Against this background, the performance by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, which helps to share our arts and culture with friends in Guangzhou, is particularly timely. "

Mr. Y. S. Liu, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, said, "The opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the High Speed Rail facilitates a wonderful connection between Hong Kong and Mainland China. The HK Phil will organise more cultural exchange activities with arts institutions across the Mainland, and plans for regular performances in the Greater Bay Area. Touring in Mainland China, as well as in other places around the world, highlights the HK Phil's importance as a cultural ambassador for Hong Kong. The HK Phil will continue to showcase the artistic excellence of the Orchestra and Hong Kong's home-grown talent nationally and internationally."

Mr. Michael MacLeod also expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong Government for their support to the Orchestra, "With the tremendous support of the Hong Kong Government, the HK Phil is able to tour around the Greater Bay Area, other cities in China and also around the world. The Orchestra performed in Zhuhai in January and in Guangzhou in March this year. Thanks to the support of GDETO, Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre and Guangzhou Xinghai Concert Hall, the two performances were great successes from every aspect - musically, financially and logistically. The HK Phil has planned performances in Beijing, Shanghai, Macau and also other cities; and a tour in Japan and Korea in March 2020. As the flagship arts organisation in Hong Kong, the HK Phil will continue to explore collaborative opportunities with different arts groups, venues and musicians in China and around the globe."

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