Chaplin Once More!
Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the 30th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) will kick off on 1st October 2016, bringing together outstanding musicians and ensembles from Russia, the United States of America, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Mongolia, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. A total of 27 extraordinary performances from 20 programmes will be presented in this grand annual musical event. MIMF, which is set to celebrate its 30th Anniversary Pearl Jubilee, held its first press conference today (4th August 2016) in Guangdong Province. The Mainland China edition of ‘Official WeChat Account of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’ has been activated for the occasion, in order to bring the charm of Macao culture to the audiences in the Mainland China. This is the first-ever press conference of MIMF held in Guangdong Province. As it coincides with the 30th Anniversary of MIMF, the organizer had specially prepared a birthday cake to welcome the grand musical annual event with the audiences in the Mainland China. MIMF will cooperate with Guangdong media extensively, and promote its programmes and share information of the festivities through its media partner, Music FM Radio Guangdong and therefore enhance its influence in Mainland China. To facilitate the delivery of information of arts and cultural activities of Macao to the audience in Mainland China, the organiser has specially activated the Mainland China edition of ‘Official WeChat Account of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’, which features the ‘30th MIMF Prize Game’ supported by The Venetian Macao. Users who subscribe to the WeChat account from today to 31st August 2016 will be eligible to participate in the game and enjoy the chance to enter the lucky draw session. The grand prize (three places) is free accommodation in a luxury suite at the Venetian Macao; the second prize (five places) is two free tickets to the opening performance of MIMF, Turandot, and the third prize (five places) is two free tickets to the closing performance of MIMF, Chaplin Once More!. Winners will be announced on 12th September via the official WeChat account. This edition of the MIMF is themed “Glorious 30 ‧ The Sinophone Rhapsodies”. Aside from the usual renowned classics, this year the MIMF specially presents several works of ethnic appeal. The 30th MIMF also features the “Macao International Music Festival Forum” and the 30th Macao International Music Festival Special Commemorative Edition will be launched on this occasion. The Festival kicks off with its own production, joining hands with internationally renowned Italian stage director Giancarlo del Monaco and acclaimed set and costume designer William Orlandi to present Giacomo Puccini’s opera in three acts Turandot, which narrates the story of the romance of life and death between Chinese Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf of Tartary. Renowned American conductor Timothy Brock leads the Macao Orchestra on the live accompaniment of the silent films “City Lights” and “The Gold Rush” by comedy genius Charlie Chaplin, bringing to a close the MIMF’s pearl jubilee at Park of Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção under a starry sky. In order to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the great playwright, Tang Xianzu, the Festival has specially produced the chamber opera A Dream of Fragrancy, created local professionals, an adaptation of Tang Xianzu’s travelling experience to Macao in 1591. Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble accompanies the morin khuur with the throat singing technique khoomei, whereby one singer produces two notes simultaneously, introducing the music of this traditional instrument, classified as national intangible cultural heritage. Outstanding musicians from the Macao Chinese Orchestra, the Guangdong National Orchestra, the Taipei Youth Chinese Orchestra and the Hong Kong Yao Yuen Chinese Music Association take to the stage to jointly present the concert Joyous Harmony, allowing the audience to enjoy the beauty of national music. Brilliant classical music conductor Valery Gergiev leads the world famous Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in the performance of Russian masters Prokofiev and Shostakovitch’s classical works. British group Colin Currie Group makes its debut in Asia with a minimalist concert featuring percussion works by iconic composer Steve Reich. The Mount Fortress hosts the hypnotising fado of Portugal’s new rising star Carminho; brilliant contemporary jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove will play several works by jazz giant Miles Davis. In order to encourage the local talents, this year’s MIMF continues to host the concerts Bravo Macao! for local musicians to showcase their performance. Tickets will be on sale from 10am on 7 August 2016 (Sunday) at the Macau Ticketing Network and telephone and online bookings are available from 12pm on the same day. On the first day of ticket sales, ticket purchases are limited to a maximum of 10 tickets per performance per person. Early bird discounts of 30% will be offered when buying tickets between 7 and 14 August, and a 20% discount will be offered when buying tickets between 15 and 21 August. Holders of BOC Multi-Currency Credit Card or BOC Card may also enjoy a 30% discounts on tickets for Turandot - Opera in Three Acts by Puccini, A Dream of Fragrancy - Chamber Opera Premiere, From Russia, with Classics - Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra or The Russian Legends - Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra . A 20% discount will be offered in the purchase of tickets for all other shows for holders of the designated credit card or bank card. A 50% discount will be offered for holders of Macao Senior Citizen Card or Disability Assessment Registration Card (each card holder is allowed to purchase one discounted ticket per performance only). For every ticket purchase over MOP1,000 (net price calculated after discounts), purchasers will receive a “buy 1 get 1 free” voucher for Cotai Water Jet ferry tickets. For every ticket purchase over MOP500 (net price calculated after discounts), purchasers will receive one 30% F&B coupon which can be redeemed when dining at selected restaurants in The Venetian® Macao. This edition of the MIMF counts with the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office, TDM – Teledifusão de Macao, Air Macau, Air Macau, The Venetian® Macao, and has Cotai Water Jet as official ferry company. For more details on the programme and offers, please access the Festival’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/fimm. For enquiries, please call IC through tel. no. 8399 6699, during office hours. Ticketing hotlines: 2855 5555 (Macao), 2380 5083 (Hong Kong), 139 269 11111 (Mainland China). Ticketing website: www.macauticket.com. The 30th MIMF Guangdong press conference was held on 4th August 2016 in the International Convetion Hall on the 3/F of the Guangdong Broadcast Centre, Guangdong. Head of the Department for the Development of the Performing Arts of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; Head of the Division of Performing Arts of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Paula Lei; the deputy director of Guangdong Radio and Television Music FM, Zhao Yimin and others attended the event.
