The Macao Orchestra, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, was invited to perform in the International Bruckner Festival 2015 in Linz, Austria, representing China, and give six concerts in cities such as Erl and Vienna in Austria, Zurich in Switzerland and Budapest in Hungary, from 10 to 24 September. Through its steady and solid performances, the Orchestra demonstrated to European audiences the Macao SAR Government’s excellent achievements in culture and art, garnering recognition and great acclaim from different sectors.
The Macao delegation was led by the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leung Hio Ming, and was directed by Music Director and Principal Conductor Lu Jia and Assistant Conductor Francis Kan. The ensemble prepared four concerts repertoires and collaborated with young Chinese soloists, including rising star pianist Zhang Haochen, sheng player Wu Wei and talented 14-year-old pianist Su Fei Nga, to demonstrate Chinese contemporary musical achievements and Macao’s efforts in supporting local musical development. The concerts were well received by Chinese ambassadors in different countries, directors of music and arts festivals as well as musical celebrities and fans who participated in the events. Many of them gave standing ovations and lauded the performances as rarely seen musical spectacles. In addition, the concerts were recorded and broadcast live by local media. Reporters from Austria even equated the Orchestra with world-class ensembles. During the concerts, representatives of the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau distributed brochures to promote Macao as World Heritage to local audiences.
Meanwhile, Lu Jia conducted the Linz Bruckner Orchestra in the opening concert of the International Bruckner Festival, which was attended by Austrian President Hans Fischer, Chinese Ambassador to Austria Zhao Bin and local political personages. After the performances, Hans Fischer credited Lu Jia as a brilliant interpreter of European music. He gently exchanged opinions with Lu Jia and Leung Hio Ming about the concerts and the future development of the Macao Orchestra. The musicians were also received by Klaus Luger, the Mayor of Linz, at the city hall, who thanked them for presenting performances of superb quality. Leung Hio Ming and Lu Jia were also invited to the meeting, where they exchanged souvenirs and ideas of cultural exchanges between Macao and Europe.
The Macao Orchestra positions itself as a small-to-medium-sized orchestra devoted to European music, with a focus on traditional Austro-German symphonic works. The ensemble acts as a steadfast promoter of art and music in Macao and serves as a cultural brand of the city on the international stages. Over the past decade, the Macao Orchestra has been playing the role of cultural ambassador of Macao. Up to last year, its performances have achieved great success in more than forty cities and autonomous regions in over thirty provinces in China. The Orchestra is the first musical ensemble to tour the country, reaping remarkable results from its trips. This tour to Europe has not only boosted the fame of Macao Orchestra in Europe but also promoted Macao’s cultural accomplishments and image. It is expected that the Macao Orchestra will gradually rise from a regionally-known ensemble in Asia to a world-class international musical performing group.