The Macao Orchestra (OM, from its Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, held the opening ceremony of its 2019-20 Concert Season on 31 August, at the lobby of the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, followed by the season opening concert “Alban Gerhardt and Macao Orchestra” that officially opens the new season. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR, Shen Beili; the Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Wan Sucheng; the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; the Acting President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Leong Wai Man; the Chairman of the China Symphony Development Foundation, Chen Guangxian; the Vice President of Brand Marketing of MGM, Catarina Lio; the Integrated Marketing Director of Personal Banking and Channel Management Department of the Bank of China (Macau Branch), Crystal Lok; the Head of the Department of Performing Arts Development of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Celia Iu; the Music Director of the Macao Orchestra, Lu Jia and the General Manager of the Macao Orchestra, Rebecca Chou.
The opening concert, conducted by OM Music Director Lu Jia, features internationally acclaimed German cellist Alban Gerhardt, hailed as ‘one of the greatest cellist in contemporary times’. The concert began with Dmitry Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 – in which the clash between cello and ensemble is a metaphor for our struggle against fate – followed by Antonin Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, all combined to deliver an extraordinary musical feast to the audience. Besides, there was a pre-show guided appreciation activity, where OM Music Director Lu Jia offered a guided appreciation of the musical pieces. On the next day after the concert, Cello Master Class with Alban Gerhardt will be specially held, with the master cellist personally guiding musical students while also sharing with them notes on his own performing experience.
Centering around the new season theme “Love・Beethoven”, the Macao Orchestra will invite world-class artists to perform the complete masterpieces of the great composer. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig Van Beethoven, “Love・Beethoven” ticket discount packages will also be on offer. Before 31 December 2019, fans can purchase a package for five Beethoven concerts at MOP880 (each package includes one ticket at the highest fare for each concert). The buyers are entitled to free priority registration for three additional concert tickets until 31 December 2019. Ticket discount packages are a limited offer, subject to availability.
The Macao Orchestra new season booklet is freely available at the Macau Ticketing Network outlets and its digital version can be downloaded from OM’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/om. For more information and enquiries, please contact OM through tel. no. 2853 0782 during office hours or the 24-hour ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. Online ticket reservation is available at www.macauticket.com.
