The 27th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) enters its second week, bringing to the city choral music, two famous operas and a jazz concert this weekend. After the success of Verdi's Messa da Requiem, by the Latvian National Opera, the MIMF's choral music programme goes ahead with the concert Songs Along the Danube, by the veteran Vienna Boys Choir, to take place on October 10 (Thursday), at 8pm, at the Macao Tower Theatre. 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 Gregorian chant. In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Verdi's birth, the MIMF presents Aida, an Opera in 4 Acts by Giuseppe Verdi, on October 11 and 12 (Friday and Saturday), at 7.30pm. at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. This Latvian National Opera production was designed by the outstanding Latvian artist Ilmārs Blumbergs to resemble a giant painting, the colours and shapes of which evoke the majesty of Ancient Egypt. A timeless story in which light and darkness, love and hate, triumph and defeat and hope and death all stand together, this is an opera not to be missed! The MIMF also brings to the Dom Pedro V Theatre stage, on October 13 and 14 (Sunday and Monday), at 3pm (only on 13/10) and at 8pm, one of Mozart's first operas, Bastien und Bastienne, written when the composer was only twelve years old. The Mozart Opera Institute reveals the musician's precocious talent, unraveling a story about love, betrayal, intrigue and eventually a happy ending. On October 12 (Saturday), at 8pm, Mount Fortress welcomes the first jazz concert of this year's edition of the Festival. Members of the group Iberian Jazz All Stars, after holding several jazz workshops in the territory during the summer, will now take to the stage together with some of their trainees, gathered under the name Macao Big Band, thus revealing the quality and talent of local musicians. Tickets for the 27th MIMF are still available, in limited numbers, at all Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets. Telephone bookings may be made on 2855 5555. Admission is free for the Iberian Jazz Stars and Macao Big Band jazz concert.
