Chinese conductor Zhang Guoyong leads OM in the interpretation of Russian masterpieces

The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym) of the Cultural Affairs Bureau will present the concert Russia Wonderland on 21 February, Sunday, at 8pm, at the Macao Tower Auditorium, featuring the best Chinese conductor in interpretation of Russian music, Zhang Guoyong, who will lead OM in a fantastic interpretation of Russian melodies.

The programme of the concert Russia Wonderland includes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13 “Winter Daydreams” and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10. Zhang Guoyong, one of the great Chinese conductors, is the head of Shanghai Opera House and is a professor of Composition and Conducting Department at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music . He studied in the former USSR for four years, earning the highest marks in his doctorate at Conducting Division of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. With his academic life in Russia at a later age as well as his work and cultural practical experiences, it helped him to contribute in conducting Russian composers’ works, thereby allowing him to comprehend Russian music history and culture in a better way. Zhang Guoyong’s conducting style is simple and natural, spiritually rich and highly artistic. He is universally recognized as the best Chinese conductor in interpretation of Russian music, especially of the symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Tickets for this concert are priced at MOP200, MOP250 and MOP100, with various discounts available. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For more details and programme enquiries, please contact OM through tel. 2853 0782 or access the Orchestra webpage at www.icm.gov.mo/om.

Yang Xuefei brings classical guitar to St. Dominic’s Church on Saturday

The Macao Orchestra (OM, from the Portuguese acronym) of the Cultural Affairs Bureau will present the concert Classic Guitar this Saturday, 23 January, at 8pm, at St. Dominic’s Church featuring two special guests, Egyptian conductor Nabil Shehata and classical guitarist Yang Xuefei invited. Free tickets will be distributed at the venue one hour prior to the performance. Distribution is on a first come, first served basis and is limited to a maximum of two tickets per person.

This marks the first time OM invites Yang Xuefei, one of the most extraordinary contemporary interpreters of classical guitar worldwide, and Egyptian conductor Nabil Shehata to cooperate in the interpretation of the eternal classical Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo. Yang Xuefei was the first guitarist in China to pursue classical guitar studies in the country’s Conservatory and to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in classical guitar, successfully launching a musical career on global stages. She is also the first Chinese classical guitarist to sign international contracts with top level music agents and record companies. Among Yang Xuefei’s biggest achievements are the academic honours given by London’s Royal Academy of Music as well as her inclusion in the top 100 musicians list of reputed UK radio station Classic FM. The programme of this concert also features Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201 and Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2, offering music lovers an unforgettable night of splendid classics and Latin passion.  The entire performance will be live broadcast on an outdoor screen installed outside St. Dominic’s Church, thereby allowing even more viewers to enjoy this exquisite concert.

Additionally, OM will present the concert Russia Wonderland at the Macao Tower Auditorium on Sunday, 21 February, at 8pm, cooperating with conductor Zhang Guoyong, recognized as the best interpreter of Russian music, in particular of Dmitri Shostakovich’s symphonies. Tickets for this concert are priced at MOP200, MOP150 and MOP100, with various discounts available. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. For details and programme enquiries, please call OM through tel. 2853 0782 or visit the Orchestra website at www.icm.gov.mo/om.