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The celebrated American soprano Renée Fleming will give her first vocal recital in Hong Kong in May. This much awaited performance by the diva will also launch this year's Great Music series.
The recital will take place at 8pm on May 9 (Thursday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Accompanied by pianist Hartmut Höll, Fleming will perform an array of masterworks by Handel, Richard Strauss, Debussy, Canteloube, Cilea, Zandonai, Refice and Verdi, and songs from musicals including "The Sound of Music", "South Pacific", "The King and I" and "My Fair Lady".
Renée Fleming is one of the most beloved and celebrated musical ambassadors of our time. Often called "the people's diva", she captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry and compelling stage presence. Excelling on opera stages, in concert halls and recording studios, she has won four Grammy Awards from 14 nominations, including this year's Best Classical Vocal Solo. She was also named the 2012 Female Singer of the Year by the German Echo awards and received the Victoire d'Honneur, the highest award conveyed by the French Victoires de la Musique.
As a musical statesman, Fleming has been sought after on numerous distinguished occasions, from the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to performances in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games. In January 2009, Fleming was featured in the televised "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" concert for President Obama. In 2012, in an historic first, Fleming sang on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II. Fleming has also performed for the United States Supreme Court and, in November 2009, helped celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's Velvet Revolution at the invitation of Václav Havel. An additional distinction was bestowed in 2008 when, breaking with precedent, Fleming became the first woman in the 125-year history of the Metropolitan Opera to solo-headline an opening night gala.
"Encore Series - An Evening with Renée Fleming" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $200, $350, $460, $550 and $620 will be available from March 15 (Friday) onwards 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 CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 10 per cent is offered for Great Music booking package. Please refer to the programme leaflets for details.
Other programmes in the Great Music series include "Encore Series - Guitar Recital by Pepe Romero" on June 16 (Sunday) and "Academy of Ancient Music" on June 23 (Sunday). The two concerts will be held at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_168.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/Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:00
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