The opening ceremony of the 32nd Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau(IC), will be held on 28 September (Friday), at 7:40pm, at the lobby of the Macao Cultural Centre. The public is welcome to participate in the ceremony.
The theme of this year’s Festival is “Enjoy – The Moment in music”, meaning to enjoy the moment and feel the joy and fulfilment music brings to the soul. A number of programmes have been highly sought after and are well-received by the public. The opening performance, the opera L’Elisir d’Amore, to be held on 28 and 30 September, is a masterpiece by composer Gaetano Donizetti that still remains in the international opera repertoire. This production by the Zurich Opera House, directed by internationally renowned German director Grischa Asagaroff, enlightens the audience about the magical power of love amidst magnificent music. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the soprano Laura Giordano, who would play the role of Adina, will be replaced by the soprano Serena Gamberoni.
In conjunction with the opening performance, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has specially invited the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) to create the special mocktail “L'Elisir d'Amore”, available for sale at IFT’s Educational Restaurant from today to 31 October.
In addition, in consideration of the performance effect, the version of Anton Bruckner’s magnum opus, Symphony No. 8 in C Minor, to be jointly presented by the Macao Orchestra and the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra on 6 October, has been changed to the 1890 version, allowing the audience to have the best artistic enjoyment. A Pre-show Talk will be held on the day of the concert, 6 October, from 7pm to 7:30pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Conference Room, in which the Music Director of the Macao Orchestra, Lu Jia, will personally explain Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8. Interested music aficionados are welcome to register for the talk through IC’s “Activity Registration System” on IC’s website (www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event). Seats are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Splendid concerts will happen one after another. In October, Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander will take to the stage with his trio to present the concert A Life in Jazz and interpret enchanting rhythms. World-renowned Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses will present the public a number of classical pieces by Bach, Pereira, Piatti and Cassadó. The Festival comes to a close with two concerts by the Staatskapelle Dresden, one of the world’s top ten orchestras boasting a history of over 400 years, under the baton of conductor Christian Thielemann, performing the complete cycle of Schumann’s symphonies, masterpieces of this Romantic German composer of the 19th century.
In order to promote the development of the cultural and creative industries in Macao, this edition of the MIMF invited local illustrator Wakka Cheang to design two exquisite souvenirs about the theme of this year’s Festival, and these include “Music Ambassadors” folders and a set of “Good Music X Good Mood” magnets and stickers. The souvenirs are available for sale at discounted prices, subject to availability, during the performance period at the Macao Cultural Centre, Dom Pedro V Theatre, Mandarin's House and Navy Yard No. 2. In addition, in order to create a festive atmosphere, the Cultural Affairs Bureau has launched a prized game on the MIMF website. All are welcome to participate and stand a chance to win fabulous prizes in a lucky draw.
For more information about the 32nd MIMF programmes, ticket purchase and other discounts, please visit the Festival’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/fimm. 24-hour ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. Ticketing website: www.macauticket.com.