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¡@¡@The Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra will give three spectacular concerts in April and May, continuing the series "Family Fiesta 2007: A Concert of Fun for Family".
¡@¡@Also performing at the concerts will be local musicians Chow Lai-kuen, Chan Pik-sum, the Hong Kong Police Choir, "Change of face" compˆore Wai Fei-hung and Sky Bird Puppet Group.
¡@¡@The orchestra will perform classical songs, including "Song of the General", "The Spring Breeze Kisses My Face", "Scram!", "Lovers' Tears", "Story of a Small Town" and Children's Songs: "Laputa: Castle in the Sky", "Doraemon" and "McDull Capriccio". Soloists Chow and Chan will play "Song of the Homebound Fisherman" and "Birds Returning to the Woods"with the zheng and gaohu respectively, while the Hong Kong Police Choir will sing "Mei-Mei-Qu" and Suite: Themes from Television Series based on Louis Cha's novels.
¡@¡@The concerts will also infuse their diverse artistic programmes with the theme of Chinese classical stories. The programmes include "Lady Mu Kwan Ying Takes Command" by compˆore Wai, "The Young Novice Seeking Alms" and "Zhong Kui Getting Drunk" by Sky Bird Puppet Group, and animation show"Three Monks" with live music. As the programme of each of the three concerts varies, interested persons should refer to the programme leaflet for details.
¡@¡@Soloist Chow Lai-kuen learnt zheng under the tutelage of many masters including Zhou Wang at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Chan has toured in Europe and Australia.
¡@¡@Chan Pik-sum learnt to play erhu under Wong Shu-wing and He Tao. She studied gaohu and erhu under Yu Qiwei, and banhu with Ngai Kwun-wa. Chan is the concertmaster of the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra and a member of the Hong Kong YWCA Chinese Orchestra.
¡@¡@Wai Fei-hung learnt "changing faces" from her father Wei Ruiqun, who was dubbed a "National Treasure of China" for his consummate skills. Wai is also adept at performing excerpts from Peking Opera, magic, the ¡§changing clothes¡¨ routines and vocal music.
¡@¡@Sky Bird Puppet Group, founded by Yeung Ching-yee, follows the Quanzhou style of string puppetry originating from Fujian Province, China. The group trains local puppeteers and creates productions characteristic of Hong Kong.
¡@¡@The Hong Kong Police Choir was established in 1977 and now has about 100 members. The choir has been invited to join the International Police Music Festival in Canada, England and Singapore. They have also participated in local and mainland cultural exchanges and charity events.
¡@¡@Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra: A Concert of Fun for Family II" will be held at 3pm on April 20 (Sunday) at the Theatre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre; 3pm on April 27 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall; and 8pm on May 3 (Saturday) at the Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre. Tickets priced at $80 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are entitled to 50% off (limited quotas for CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis).
¡@¡@For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999; for Internet bookings, visit www.urbtix.hk; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.
Ends/Thursday, March 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:01
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