Frances Yip and Macao Chinese Orchestra

Chew Hee Chiat, Conductor

The principal guest conductor and artistic advisor of the Macao Chinese Orchestra is also the assistant artistic director and resident conductor at the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Chew plays an active and diverse role, covering conducting, arranging and orchestrating for numerous concerts, besides working with orchestras from China, Singapore and Malaysia, amongst others. A keen promoter of Chinese music amongst different age groups, Chew has been seeking cooperation with singers of various musical genres. In recent years, he has been committed to cross-disciplinary collaborations between Chinese music and other sectors and media.

Frances Yip, Vocals

Yip started her career as a TV singer with her own albums after participating in the Hong Kong television programme Sharp Show in 1969. She went on to sign a contract with EMI in London in 1974, making her the first Asian singer to have signed an international contract with the record company. Yip has recorded over 100 solo albums and has collaborated with well-known orchestras around the world, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and Macao Chinese Orchestra. In China, her hallmark tune The Bund has been recognised among the “Top 10 Songs in a Century”. Her prolific career has been recently celebrated with the release of the album Frances Yip Golden Hits to mark 55 years.

Bo Luk, Special Guest

Luk is a concert producer and a Hong Kong-based singer. Starting as a backing vocalist after being discovered by Michael Lai, Luk has been a special guest in concerts with numerous superstars, including Johnny Ip, Frances Yip, Elisa Chan, Anita Mui, and Roman Tam. In 2014, he released his first Hi-Fi Album Listen – Bo 1, which earned him the “2014 IFPI (HK) Best Selling Local New Male Vocalist award” and the “2016 VIP Music Charts Hi-Fi Golden Melody Awards”. He went on to release his second and third solo albums in 2015 and 2017, Listen – Bo 2 and Listen – Bo 3 respectively. Since 2016, he has given a number of well-received solo concerts.

Macao Chinese Orchestra

Established in 1987, the Macao Chinese Orchestra upholds the tenet “based in Macao while embracing the world and promoting culture with East-meets-West repertoire”. The ensemble has been presenting traditional Chinese music reflecting the spirit of the times, bringing excellent works to Macao fans, and allowing the public to access the genre while promoting Macao’s positive image to the world. The Macao Chinese Orchestra was the only professional Chinese orchestra in Macao, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government. From February 1, 2022, the ensemble has been managed by the Macao Orchestra Company, Limited, which is wholly owned by Macao’s Government.