The 28th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, takes place from October 3 to November 1, bringing to the territory outstanding artists and ensembles from the U.S.A., United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Portugal, Italy, Argentina, Poland, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, in a total of 25 shows, offering the public high level concerts during Fall.
Opera Norma marks the Festival’s opening; “Hairspray – The Musical” closes the season
Annually, the MIMF presents outstanding opera productions highly anticipated by the public. This year, the Festival takes off with “Norma – Opera in 2 Acts by Vicenzo Bellini”, by the Teatro Regio de Torino, from Italy, gathering extraordinary opera singers and actors under the baton of Macao Orchestra’s Conductor and Music Director, Lü Jia. Beautiful melodies, refined orchestral music and a dramatic plot make up Bellini’s master piece, marking the Festival’s grand opening. The inspiring “Hairspray – The Musical” brings the MIMF to a close with spectacular songs and dance, leaving the public a message of courage to pursue their dreams. Hairspray’s original Broadway version conquered, in 2003, 8 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards. The Teatro Comunale di Bologna, boasting a long history and a vast production experience, presents Giovanni Battista Martini’s intermezzos Il Don Chisciotte and Il Maestro di Musica, two satires to the ills of the world, offering a unique operatic experience at the Dom Pedro V Theatre.
St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra in Macao; George Lam collaborates with the Macao Chinese Orchestra
Acknowledged as one of the greatest orchestras worldwide, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra is Russia’s oldest and most remarkable symphony orchestra, with exquisite and one of a kind interpretations that have earned the ensemble a reputation in the international arena. The orchestra presents two concerts in Macao, Russian Romanticism and Tales of Russia, where it will execute magnificent pieces under the baton of Conductor Yuri Temirkanov.
Well-known Hong Kong singer George Lam joins the Macao Chinese Orchestra to interpret pop hits, appealing to a diversified audience. Possessing extraordinary skill and a refined style, North-American a cappella choir Anonymous 4 will enchant the audience with their flawless voices. The Macao Orchestra pays homage to Richard Strauss and commemorates the 150th anniversary of his birth by interpreting, in Meditator, two of the composer’s most popular symphonic poems together with talented cellist Denis Shapovalov and violist Sviatoslav Belonogov. The Taipei Chinese Orchestra seeks to redefine the meaning of Chinese music in an innovative way through a diverse programme, developing a unique style and artistic path not to be missed.
Varied chamber music performances
The organisation carefully prepared chamber music performances of different styles, periods and nations, from classical music to pop. The recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons by globally acclaimed Italian chamber music ensemble I Musici is considered the most influential interpretation of the piece. The ensemble now comes to Macao to demonstrate its mastery of this work, presenting, in addition, a second concert dedicated to Oscar winning movies and cartoon music. Considered the “most famous brass quintet in the world”, Canadian Brass will reveal their unparalleled charm on stage; American duo parnas, comprised of two sisters, presents a string duet as well as a children’s concert, in cooperation with Little Mountain Arts Association, titled The Discovery of Music, sharing the joys of music with the younger ones in an interactive way. The MIMF also offers performances by the Shanghai Quartet, one of the most notable quartets in today’s classical music scene, and a recital by acclaimed Polish composer and pianist Zygmunt Krauze.
Following a lengthy absence, the Coro Gulbenkian returns to the city to present charming Portuguese music in two concerts, first at St. Dominic’s Church and later at the Macao Cultural Centre. The Chinese Orchestra of the Jiangsu Province Performing Arts Group interprets ancient and modern lyrical Jiangnan Sizhu music at World-Heritage listed Mandarin’s House, revealing the essence of this intangible cultural heritage’s performing method.
Leading performances at Mount Fortress
The Festival includes several contemporary leading performances at Mount Fortress, adding to these World Heritage charm and highlighting music’s allure. Argentinean guitarist Dominic Miller, frequent contributor to Sting’s record producing and tours, brings his band to Macao, creating under the stars a bewitching music fest. Laurie Anderson, one of the most remarkable singers in today’s art scene and whose talents extend across visual arts, photography, movie soundtracks, etc, specialises in exploring contemporary culture through innovative multimedia performances. In her last work, The Language of the Future, music lovers can experience the appeal of this versatile artist’s music.
Well-known Aaron Goldberg Trio gathers piano, bass and drums in a concert that will stimulate the audience’s senses through an explosion of emotions and boundless imagination. In addition, St. Dominic’s Church hosts religious music concerts, such as an interpretation of Gioachino Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle by the internationally renowned Coro Lírico Siciliano, from Italy.
Tickets on sale from August 3
Tickets for the 28th Macao International Music Festival go on sale at 10am on August 3 (Sunday), at all Macau Ticketing Network outlets. Telephone and online bookings will be available from 12pm onwards. On the first day of ticket sales, ticket purchases are limited to a maximum of 10 tickets per performance per person; for the shows The Macao Chinese Orchestra Invites George Lam and The Discovery of Music ticket purchases are limited to a maximum of 4 tickets per performance per person. A variety of discounts is available, including early bird discounts of 40% from August 3 and 12. Special offers include: “Cotai Water Jet Buy 1 Get 1 Free” ferry ticket offer – for every purchase of two tickets for “Hairspray – The Musical”, customers can receive a free voucher for a one-way ticket from Macao-HK and vice-versa at Cotai Water Jet; and “Taste & Music” dining offer – for every ticket purchase over MOP 1000 (net price calculated after discounts), customers can receive 30% discount vouchers for food and beverages at Cotaistrip selected restaurants.
The 28th Macao International Music Festival counts with the kind support of the Macao Government Tourist Office, Teledifusão de Macau, S.A.R.L., Air Macau and COTAISTRIP. Cotai Water Jet has been appointed the official ferry company of the MIMF. For more information related to the 28th MIMF, please visit the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau at: www.icm.gov.mo/fimm or e-mail: fimm@icm.gov.mo. Information hotline: (853) 8399 6699 (during office hours). Ticketing hotlines: Macao (853) 2855 5555; Hong Kong (852) 2380 5083; Pearl River Delta Region (86) 139 269 11111. Online reservations: www.macauticket.net.
The MIMF’s press conference took place on 22 July, Tuesday, at 3pm at the Tourism Activities Centre. Present at the press conference were the President of Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr. Ung Vai Meng accompanied by representatives of the Festival’s supporting entities, namely the Acting Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office of the Macao SAR Government, Mr. Cheng Wai Tong; the Director and Member of the Executive Committee of TDM, Mr. John Lai; the General Manager of Marketing and Sales of Air Macau, Ms. Ge Lan; the Senior Vice President of Public Relations & Community Affairs of the Venetian Macau Ltd. And the representative of Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, Ms. Melina Leong. Present were also the Vice-President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Dr. Leung Hio Ming and the Head of the Cultural Events Department of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mr. Kent Ieong Chi Kin.
