*******************************************************
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, which is one of the best Chinese orchestras in the world, will perform to capacity crowds in Toronto and Vancouver this week at two concerts to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The orchestra's Cultural Exchange Concert at the P C Ho Theatre in Toronto tonight (August 15, Toronto time) is organised by the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCC). An elite ensemble from the orchestra will be performing with renowned local erhuist George Gao and his group of guitarist Bill Bridges and a bass player Lew Mele, as well as yangqin master Anna Guo, who will be accompanied by the Canadian Sinfonietta.
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, established in 1977, is the only professional, full-size Chinese orchestra in Hong Kong. It is a pioneer in the presentation of Chinese music in a Western orchestral format. While en route to Vancouver to take part at the annual Festival Vancouver on Saturday, HKCO's Artistic Director Yan Huichang has brought 11 of the orchestra's top musicians from Hong Kong to perform at the Toronto concert. They include concertmaster and Gaohu master Wong On-yuen, percussion section leader Yim Hok-man, and wind section leader and Dizi master Sun Yongzhi.
The two concerts are supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada. The Robert H N Ho Family Foundation in Hong Kong has contributed about CAD$300,000 to enable the orchestra to make this Canadian tour possible. The foundation is a charitable organisation with a mission of fostering and promoting Chinese arts and culture. It has sponsored many Chinese cultural events around the world. The foundation is also the Presenting Sponsor of the Toronto concert.
A meet-the-media session was held at the CCC this morning for the orchestra ensemble members to meet the press, as well as the organisers, sponsors and representatives from the local music community. It was followed by a master class conducted by the orchestra's artistic director.
Speaking at the media session, HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, said he was pleased to have such a distinguished group perform in Toronto and help promote traditional Chinese music to mainstream audiences.
"Chinese music has become very popular in Toronto in recent years," Mr So said. "The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is the pride of Hong Kong people. Its members are Hong Kong's music ambassadors. Their performance with the leading local musicians this evening and later at Festival Vancouver will provide great opportunities for Canadians to better understand Chinese culture and appreciate Chinese music."
Chairman and President of the CCC Dr Cheung Ming-Tat thanked the concert's primary supporter - the Robert H N Ho Family Foundation - saying its contributions were greatly appreciated by everyone.
The orchestra's Artistic Director Yan Huichang expressed the group's sincere thanks to foundation for making their visit to Canada possible. "After our last visit 10 years ago, it is our pleasure to perform in Toronto to celebrate the important milestone of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, as well as perform with two renowned local musicians to promote cultural exchanges," he said.
Also present at the meet-the-media session were Deputy Consul General Hao Guangfeng of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto; key musicians of the orchestra; representatives of Rogers Communications and Downtown Fine Cars, who are the major sponsors of the Toronto concert.
After the Toronto concert, the orchestra ensemble will join the rest of the 85-member group to perform at the Festival Vancouver closing concert at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia on Saturday.
The Vancouver concert will feature Hong Kong composer Cheng Dazhao's "Yellow River Capriccio", which will require audience participation with each of the audience members playing a hand drum with the orchestra.
Ends/Thursday, August 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 10:40
NNNN