The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, kicks off its 2018-19 Concert Season on 1 September. In celebration of its 35th anniversary, this year’s Concert Season is themed “Music Gala 35: Music Fills the City”, gathering a number of prominent musicians to bring music aficionados a variety of excellent performances. Tickets for the new concert season are already on sale at the Macau Ticketing Network.
The 2018-19 Season Opening Concert, “Sergei Rachmaninoff by Barry Douglas”, will be held on 1 September, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Under the baton of OM Music Director Lu Jia, pianist Barry Douglas, winner of the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in 1986, was invited to perform in this opening concert following his last performance with the Macao Orchestra in which he played Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, very well-received by the audience. In this concert, Barry Douglas will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 followed by Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, offering music aficionados a Russian-style musical feast. In addition, the “Piano Master Class with Barry Douglas” will be held on 30 August, at 6:30pm, at the Macao Conservatory Auditorium, in which Barry Douglas will coach and exchange views with the participants in person. Registration for participants being coached or observers can be made through tel. no. 2853 0782 and is open until 22 August. Successful applicants will be notified personally for the payment which must be made at the Cultural Affairs Bureau.
Tickets for the 2018-19 Season Opening Concert “Sergei Rachmaninoff by Barry Douglas” are available at the prices of MOP400, MOP350, MOP250 and MOP150. From today until 31 August, a 40% early bird discount on tickets is available for four or more persons who purchase tickets at the same time, or on tickets for all concerts for holders of “OM Friend”, “CCM Friend” or “Friend of the Macao Chinese Orchestra” cards. During the Early Bird period, “OM Friends” can redeem 2 tickets of “Along with the Musical Joy – Annual Gala and Gathering” by presenting OM Friends’ Card and tickets for the concert “Sergei Rachmaninoff by Barry Douglas”, “Salute to Richard Strauss – Tianwa Yang and Macao Orchestra” or “Piano Prodigies”, at the reception of Cultural Affairs Bureau during office hours. Tickets are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This year, the organizer offers the “OM Friends Music Points Program”, in which members can earn reward points by purchasing Macao Orchestra concert tickets, which can be used to get discounts. For more information, please refer to the Concert Season’s booklets and to OM’s website. The Concert Season booklets can be obtained free of charge at all Macau Ticketing Network outlets. The electronic version may also be downloaded at OM’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/om. For more information and enquiries on the programme, please call OM through tel. no. 2853 0782 during office hours. 24-hour ticketing hotline: 2855 5555; online ticket reservation is available at www.macauticket.com.
