The curtain at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium will rise on 6 September, Saturday, at 8 p.m., to disclose the new Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra. In the Opening Concert of the 2008-2009 Season, Lü Jia will guide the Orchestra and the audience through a journey to the epic world of Italian opera.

Zhejiang Province is closer to us than we ever imagined. Arriving from the coastal region south of the Yangtze river, that among its myriad mountains and lakes hides the most extraordinary handicraft of all China, four new experts on the traditional arts of embroidery, dyeing and blue calico will be at the Lou Kau Mansion to display, present and demonstrate their talent until the end of August.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. presents the Macao Orchestra 2007-2008 Season Closing Concert, entitled “The Fate of Beethoven”, to be held on 26^th July, Saturday, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government presents the 22^nd Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) from October 5^th to November 2^nd, 2008.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. promotes one more concert in the Macao Orchestra Chamber Music Series entitled “Romantique Française”, to be held on 12 July, Saturday, at 8pm, at Dom Pedro V Theatre. The concert features the Sonata for Cello and Piano by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), the String Quartet, op. 121 by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), the Sonata for Trumpet, French Horn and Trombone, op. 33 by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) and the String Quartet in F major by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. presents the Macao Chinese Orchestra 2007-2008 Season Closing Concert, entitled “The Charm of Chinese Music”, under the baton of the orchestra’s Musical Director and Principal Conductor Pang Ka Pang, to be held on 27 June (Sunday) at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. The concert’s programme features the pieces Dragon Boat Race (from The Bewitching Braid) by Guan Naizhong, Beautiful Night by Liu Tianhua (Arr. Liu Chenchen), Rhapsody for Erhu and Orchestra by Wang Jianmin, Horse Race by Huang Haihuai (Arr. Wang Aikang), Ambush From All Sides by Liu Wenjin and Zhao Yongshan, Macao Impressions by Zhao Jiping, Dabo River Whim by He Xuntian, Nostalgia for Portugal (from Macau Junção) by Rão Kyao (Arr. Guan Naizhong), Lilau (from Macau Junção) by Rão Kyao (Arr. Guan Naizhong) and Lyric Variations by Liu Changyuan.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. promotes one more concert in the Macao Orchestra Chinese Music Series entitled “Eternal Treasures”, to be held on 5 July, Saturday, at 8pm, at St. Dominic’s Church. The free admission concert features String Quartet No. 1 by Doming Lam (b. 1926), Loin d’ici by Lam Bun Ching (b. 1954), Prima Missa by Jiang Wenye (1910-1983), String Quartet No. 3 by Bright Sheng (b. 1955) and Quartet, op. 41 by Wang Xilin (b. 1937). Due to the limited number of seats, coupons will be distributed outside the church from 7pm onwards (maximum 2 coupons per person on a first come, first served basis).

The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. promotes one more concert in the Macao Orchestra Chamber Music Series entitled “20th Century Music Parade”, on 21 June, Saturday, at 8pm, at St. Dominic’s Church.

On 18th June (Wednesday) the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. presents the concert “Works by Kwok Hang Kei – Traditions from Yunling” by the Macao Chinese Orchestra, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium. The formation will be performing under the baton of Composer and Guest Conductor Kwok Hang Kei.

The Macao Historical Archives operates under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and is responsible for the preservation of records of historic value. Given Macao’s geographical location in a sub-tropical zone, it is essential to actively protect paper records in order to avoid deterioration and ensure their correct preservation. Such measures include regular pest control.