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Widely acclaimed as one of the world's most accomplished opera and concert hall singers, Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter will return to Hong Kong to perform a vocal recital next month.
Joined by Swedish pianist Bengt Forsberg, the concert will feature a series of classic art songs by Schubert, Korngold, Weill, Grieg and Sibelius. In addition, the concert also features works by Mahler and Liszt to commemorate their anniversaries this year. (Please note: Violinist Pekka Kuusisto, who was originally to collaborate with von Otter in this concert, will not perform due to ill health. The concert programme has been revised.)
Born in Sweden, von Otter graduated from London's Guildhall and became a principal artist of the Basel Opera, launching an international career that now spans more than two decades. Equally active in opera, concerts, recitals and recording, and noted as one of the most versatile artists of her generation, von Otter appears regularly on the world's major stages and boasts an unrivalled personal discography.
A diverse repertoire has played a key role in sustaining her international operatic reputation. Recently she further broadened her range by performing two highly acclaimed Wagnerian role debuts. The first of these was as Brangäne in a semi-staged production of "Tristan und Isolde", directed by Peter Sellars with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen. She followed this as Waltraute in a co-production of "Die Götterdämmerung" by Stéphane Braunschweig at the Aix-en-Provence and Salzburg Festivals, with Sir Simon Rattle conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
An acclaimed recitalist, von Otter performs around the globe with her accompanist, Bengt Forsberg and is renowned for her fresh and explorative programming. An equally busy concert career takes her to the major halls of Europe and North America, where she enjoys a regular partnership with many of the world's pre-eminent conductors.
"Encore Series: Vocal Recital by Anne Sofie von Otter" is the final programme in the "Great Music" concert series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will take place at 8pm on October 25 (Tuesday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $480, $370, $260 and $150 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/00000279.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, September 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:57
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