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A spokesman of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 26) announced that the conductor of "Il Trovatore", David Stern, is not able to join the performances due to unforeseen circumstance. Diego Dini Ciacci has been appointed as the conductor of the opera.

Maestro Dini Ciacci began his musical studies at the Trento Conservatory where he graduated with honours at the age of 16, completing further studies in Munich, Germany and Bern, Switzerland. After taking part in the European Community Youth Orchestra and Orchestra Internazionale des Jeunesse Musicales, he joined the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala in Milan as principal oboist, working with such great conductors as Abbado, Carlos Kleiber, Muti and Bernstein. Following a period dedicated entirely to his solo career, Maestro Dini Ciacci began a successful conducting career with his founding group 'Cameristi'. He was the guest conductor of many renowned orchestras such as the Orchestra of Ente Arena of Verona, the Haydn Orchestra of Trento and Bolzano, the Orchestra Sinfonica of Sanremo and the Timisoara Philharmonic in Romania. He is currently Principal Conductor of the Orchestra Internazionale d'Italia which he has conducted around the world including China. Since 1996, he has been Artistic Director of the Festival 'I Grandi Interpreti' at Verona. He is concurrently a professor at the Verona Conservatory of Music.

"Il Trovatore", an opera in four acts, is said to be one of the most sought-after local cultural programmes in 2001. Presented by LCSD as a centenary commemoration of the death of the reputable Italian opera legend Giuseppe Verdi, it is directed by renowned producer Lo King-man and performed by some well-known international and local vocalists.

Performed in Italian with Chinese and English surtitles, "Il Trovatore" will be staged at 7.30 pm on September 28 to 30 and October 2 to 3 (Friday to Wednesday, except Monday), and 2.30 pm on October 1 (Monday) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Tickets priced at $680, $540, $390, $250 and $120 for the evening performances and $590, $480, $350, $220 and $100 for the matinee are now available at all URBTIX outlets.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2734 2935 while ticketing enquiries and reservations on 2734 9009.

End/Wednesday, September 26, 2001

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