A World of Musical Delight

by Catarina

Arts, Music
September 25, 2013

Each year the Macao International Music Festival brings internationally renowned artists from all over the world to Macao and, at the same time, presents Macao’s local talent to the world.

This year’s edition encompasses grand opera, musical theatre, symphonic, choral and chamber music and performances in the contemporary, pop, alternative and jazz genres, offering the public yet another dynamic encounter between East and West.

Twenty-two diverse programmes – from the USA, Germany, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Serbia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan and Macao – bathe the city’s cultural venues in both ancient and modern sounds.

In addition, the MIMF has invested renewed effort into providing an outreach programme to accompany the events, including workshops, master classes, lectures and backstage tours, with the aim of further stimulating public interest in the arts.

Here are just a few of the masterful performances that are sure to enthrall audiences.

OPERA IN 1 ACT BY RICHARD WAGNER

Inaugurating the 27th edition of MIMF is Macao’s first ever staging of a Wagner opera, a Latvian National Opera (Latvia) production of DAS RHEINGOLD in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

2/10 | 8pm | Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR – SONGS ALONG THE DANUBE

A joy of both musicianship and personalities, the world's preeminent children’s choir has enchanted audiences across the globe with its purity of tone, distinctive charm and a diverse repertoire that encompasses Austrian folk songs and waltzes, classical masterpieces, cherished pop songs and medieval chant.

10/10 | 8pm | Macao Tower Theatre

AIDA, an OPERA IN 4 ACTS BY GIUSEPPE VERDI

Verdi’s soaring, romantic and dramatic Aida has stood the test of time and is presented in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Verdi’s birth. This Latvian National Opera production was designed by the outstanding Latvian artist Ilmars Blumbergs to resemble a giant painting, the colours and shapes of which evoke the majesty of Ancient Egypt.

11-12/10 | 7:30pm | Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium

IBERIAN JAZZ ALL STARS

The Iberian Jazz All Stars from Faro, Portugal, put together an original and diverse repertoire, the result of the convergence of the musicians’ varying styles and interests. Dedicated to training the next generation of jazz musicians, the group will perform with the Macao Big Band, made up of young jazz talents chosen from two jazz workshops held in Macau in August.

12/10 | 8pm Mount Fortress

THE DRAGON QUARTET

The Dragon Quartet from Mainland China features Chinese stars Ning Feng and Qin Li-Wei along with two special guests. Violinist Ning Feng took First Prize in the 2006 International Paganini Competition and he performs regularly worldwide in recital and with numerous orchestras. Qin Li-Wei, one of the most promising cellists of Asia and winner of the prestigious Naumburg Competition in New York (2001), has appeared all over the world as both soloist and chamber musician.

16/10 | 8pm Dom Pedro V Theatre

DESERTS XUAN

Taiwanese indie singer-songwriter Deserts Xuan is known for her compelling solo performances featuring just her voice and a guitar. She has been distinguished with numerous awards, most recently at the 13th Top Chinese Awards 2013. Opening for them at Mount Fortress is local band L.A.V.Y., an old-school rock band consisting of four experienced musicians who never fail to deliver fantastic live performances.

18/10 | 8pm | Mount Fortress

KYUNG-WHA CHUNG VIOLIN RECITAL

Undeniably one of the leading violinists in the world today, Kyung-wha Chung, throughout her life as a violin soloist and recitalist, has garnered global recognition of the very highest stature. She was awarded the South Korean Government’s highest honour in 1972, and the Ho-Am Prize in the Arts in 2011, among numerous other honours, including the London Sunday Times Culture Award.

24/10 | 8pm | Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium

FADO (PORTUGAL) AND CANTONESE NAAMYAM

Fado, a musical art form that is uniquely Portuguese, emerged in the middle of the 19th century. In recent decades, a new generation of young singers has given Fado a new impetus, leading to its recognition by UNESCO as an item of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.

The Cantonese Naamyam (Narrative Songs) were originally sung by blind artists as a form of musical storytelling, with lyrics reflecting the hopelessness endemic to the lower classes of society. Following the art’s heyday in the 1950s, Naamyam fell into a decline, however today it has once again become more widespread and better understood. The songs were inscribed on the Tentative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Items of the Macao S.A.R. in 2009 and on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.

24-26/10 | 8pm | Mandarin's House

DRESDEN PHILARMONIC

Since its establishment in 1870, the Dresden Philharmonic has been a major driving force in its home city’s musical culture. The Orchestra gained worldwide fame in the 1930s and has since attracted the collaboration of great conductors and outstanding musicians. They are joined by German violinist Julia Fischer, recognised worldwide as an uncommonly talented and exceptionally gifted artist.

27/10 | 8pm | Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium

MISS SAIGON – THE MUSICAL

Bringing to a close the 27th edition of MIMF is a full-scale Broadway productionof the acclaimed hit show MISS SAIGON – THE MUSICAL (U.S.A.) brought to Macao by MCCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT. A classic love story is brought up-to-date in one of the most stunning theatrical spectacles of all time, in a moving testament to the human spirit and a scathing indictment of the tragedies of war.