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Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Sinfonietta will make its Toronto debut at the Royal Conservatory (the Conservatory) on October 4 at 8pm (Toronto time).
One of Hong Kong's flagship orchestras, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, with their renowned Music Director Yip Wing-sie, is recognised internationally for passionate and energetic performances. The performance is jointly organised by the Conservatory and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (HKETO).
Speaking at the press conference today (September 13, Toronto time), Director of HKETO, Miss Gloria Lo, said that over the last 15 years, Hong Kong has joined the rank of New York and London to become one of the most important international financial centres. At the same time, Hong Kong is also proud of its cultural achievements.
"Hong Kong is the home base of some of Asia's best performing groups including the Hong Kong Sinfonietta," said Miss Lo. "The Sinfonietta's Toronto debut is HKETO's and The Royal Conservatory's joint efforts to strengthen the cultural ties between Canada and Hong Kong, and to showcase Hong Kong's creativity, vibrancy, and unique culture. We are also expecting some more Hong Kong cultural groups visiting Canada in the months to come."
A respected figure on Asia's orchestral music scene, Yip Wing-sie is the Music Director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Principal Guest Conductor of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. Ms Yip spoke in a video message screened at the press conference that she was looking forward to visiting Toronto. "Hong Kong Sinfonietta toured frequently over the past decade. We are proud to represent Hong Kong and showcase our orchestra and Chinese music talents to overseas audiences," said Ms Yip.
Ms Yip is a winner of many prestigious prizes and has conducted at venues and festivals in Vienna, Warsaw, Beijing, Tokyo, France, and Italy. Yip was bestowed Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Ministry of Culture and Communication of France in 2007, and, in 2010, was conferred as a Fellow of the Royal College of Music in London.
The programme for this concert includes Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op.25 "Classical" and Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63, with soloist Tianwa Yang; Igor Stravinsky's "Pulcinella Suite"; and a newly commissioned work for sheng and orchestra by Chan Hing-yan, titled "'Twas the Thawing Wind", with Loo Sze-wang as soloist.
"It is a great honour for us at The Royal Conservatory to present the Toronto debut of this fine ensemble," said Mr Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of the Conservatory. "The artistic reputation of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta is beyond reproach and Maestro Yip Wing-Sie and her father have contributed a lot in the music education in Toronto."
Founded in 1990, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta has a mission to bring music closer to the community. The orchestra has collaborated with an illustrious array of international musicians and groups, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Plácido Domingo, Augustin Dumay, Fou Ts'ong, Luciano Pavarotti, Pinchas Zukerman, Tan Dun, The Royal Ballet, and Kirov Ballet. The Hong Kong Sinfonietta will be visiting North America from September 28 to October 8, covering Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and New York.
The Conservatory thanks the following for their support of this performance, including: Concert Sponsor - TD Bank Group; Supporting Sponsor - McMillan LLP; and Media Sponsor - Classical 96.3 FM.
Details of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta concert conducted by Yip Wing-sie are as follows:
Date: Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 8pm
Place: Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory
TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning
273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Tickets: Start at CAD$40 and are available
online at www.rcmusic.ca, by calling
(416) 408 0208, or in person at the
Weston Family Box Office
Ends/Friday, September 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 08:32
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