Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra’s Australian Tour 2023
“It is a rare treat to encounter a high-calibre Chinese orchestra”
After a 41-year hiatus, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has successfully returned to Australia at the end of 2023. The "Image China" concert conducted by Rupert Woo Pak Tuen features the "Dream of the Red Chamber Suite," adapted from the iconic 1987 TV series soundtrack, offering a profound taste of this classic tale. Additionally, Peng Xiuwen's "Fantasia, Terracotta Warriors" will convey the weighty historical significance through classical instruments. A special highlight of this performance is the Eco-Huqin developed by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, which is more eco-friendly in material, and achieves breakthroughs in the depth, texture, and thickness of traditional string instruments, providing you with a unique and enriching musical experience.
Melbourne
Melbourne Town Hall
19 DEC, TUE 7:30 PM
Sydney
Sydney Town Hall
21 DEC, THU 7:30 PM
Brisbane
Brisbane Town Hall
23 DEC, SAT 7:30 PM
Established in 1977, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra stands as a highly influential force on the international stage. The musicians of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra will deliver a concert of the highest caliber, brimming with infectious energy.
A grand feast of Chinese traditional music seamlessly blended with a modern touch, the concert is organised by the China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd and co-presented by Ausfeng Events.
Programme:
1. Song of the General Ancient Melody Arr. by Gu Guanren
2. Essence (The sixth movement from Ji) Ng Cheuk-yin
3. Guanzi Concerto The Silk Road Fantasia Suite (Excerpts) Zhao Jiping
4. The Dream of the Red Chamber Suite (Excerpts) Wang Liping
5. Fantasia The Terra Cotta Warriors Peng Xiuwen
Conductor: Rupert Woo Pak Tuen
Assistant Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Young Chinese Orchestra. Graduated in 2012, Rupert Woo was the first Master in Conducting of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). In the Second International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music, Rupert won Second Prize as well as the Outstanding Young Conductor in Hong Kong Award and the Audience Award for the Most Popular Conductor. He guest-conducted the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, the Macao Chinese Orchestra, the Henan National Music Orchestra, the Academy Chinese Orchestra and the Academy Symphony Orchestra of HKAPA, Fanyin Chamber Orchestra of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble etc.
Rupert holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Computer Science from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2005), a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in banhu performance from HKAPA (2008), and a Master of Music in banhu and gaohu performance from HKAPA (2010).
In 2018, Rupert became the Assistant Conductor (Education and Outreach) of HKCO through open recruitment, responsible for the conducting of the Hong Kong Young Chinese Orchestra, which is under the jurisdiction of the HKCO. Rupert was the conductor in ‘Our Cantopop’ concert (2023) and ‘Trail of the Blue Dragon’ Community Concert (2022) held by HKCO.
Guanzi Soloist: Ma Wai Him - Prinicipal Souna
Principal Suona and also guan player of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Ma joined the HKCO in 2014 and has served as Principal Suona since 2016. Ma learned Chinese wind instruments from his father, Ma Wing-shing, at a young age. He completed his Master’s degree programme with double major in suona and guan at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. His teachers included Guo Yazhi, Law Hang Leung, Liu Hai, Xia Boyan and Lo Wai Leung. He also attended advanced courses in suona under Liu Ying and guan under Hu Zhihou. He was invited to teach at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts after his graduation. He has won the Hong Kong Arts Development Awards – Award for Young Artist (music), Silver Award-Folk Instruments section at the 16th Osaka International Music Competition, and was invited to be a Visiting Artist at the School of Music, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
A short video taken at Melbourne Town Hall
