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"Sacrarmonia", a project created by Italian singer Antonella Ruggiero, will be performed in Hong Kong next month, as one of the highlights of "Year of Italy in China 2006" programme.
The concert is a journey through cultures and idioms from distant worlds. Here we can find influences of classical music such as Bach, Schubert and John Dowland, the inspiration from religious repertoires such as "Adeste Fideles" and Gounod's "Ave Maria", and the emotional citations from "Missa Luba" and "Missa Criolla" to the Indian devotional "Tumi Shiva" and "Lo frate sole" from "Il Cantico delle Creature".
In "Sacrarmonia", Ruggiero searches for new realms and uses material rich in history, charm and evocative power, a definite clue in the reading of the new millennium as she takes the audience on a rediscovery of hidden treasures.
Ruggiero has always cut a unique figure in Italian music. As one of the most versatile and interesting voices, she has a career that spans 25 years. With her songs, she has narrated, tracked and moved in tandem with the evolution, trends and tastes of the general public. She was with the group Matia Bazar before pursuing a solo career in the nineties, and her ability as a performer has always enabled her to reach audiences far and wide.
The new millennium marked a turn in Ruggiero's career. She took the incredible "Sacrarmonia" tour, which consisted of a repertoire of sacred music from all over the world, to the United States, Morocco and Tunisia with the Arke Quartet. Her collaboration with the Arke led to further projects, directing her focus to a crossover of genres, taking her from music of the Far East to that of South America, rereading songs from her repertoire, and allowing her to explore Broadway, Fado, jazz and contemporary music.
Highlights in Ruggiero's music career included her performance at the Teatro La Fenice of Venice as protagonist in the contemporary opera, "Medea", by Adriano Guarnieri, one of today's most important composers, her collaboration with Ennio Morricone and her collaboration with Sting during her 1996 tour. She has also appeared at the Sanremo Music Festival.
The concert, "Sacrarmonia: Antonella Ruggiero", will be staged at 8pm, on October 18, 2006, at the Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $240 and $180 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.Limited tickets for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations call 2734 9009. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information about the programme.
Ends/Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:01
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