Press Release - August 15, 2007

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), which is known as one of the best Chinese orchestras in the world, is to perform to capacity crowds in Toronto and Vancouver this week at two concerts to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The HKCO's Cultural Exchange Concert at the P.C. Ho Theatre in Toronto this evening (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. is organized by the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCC). An elite ensemble from the Orchestra will be performing with renowned local erhuist George Gao and his group of guitarist Bill Bridges and a bass player Lew Mele, as well as yangqin master Anna Guo, who will be accompanied by the Canadian Sinfonietta.

The HKCO is the only professional, full-size Chinese orchestra in Hong Kong. It is a pioneer in the presentation of Chinese music in a western orchestral format. While en route to Vancouver to take part at the annual Festival Vancouver this Saturday, HKCO’s Artistic Director Yan Huichang has brought 11 of the Orchestra’s top musicians from Hong Kong to perform at the Toronto concert. They include concertmaster and Gaohu master Wong On-yuen, percussion section leader Yim Hok-man, and wind section leader and Dizi master Sun Yongzhi.

The two concerts are supported by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada. The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation in Hong Kong has contributed about CAD$300,000 to enable the Orchestra to make this Canadian tour possible. The Foundation is a charitable organization with a mission to foster and promote Chinese arts and culture. It has sponsored many Chinese cultural events around the world. The Foundation is also the Presenting Sponsor of the Toronto concert.

A meet-the-media session was held at the CCC this morning for the HKCO ensemble members to meet with the press, as well as the organizers, sponsorship and representative from the local music community, to be followed by a master class conducted by the Orchestra’s Artistic Director at 2 p.m.

Speaking at the media session, the HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, said he was pleased to have such a distinguished group to perform in Toronto and help promote traditional Chinese music to mainstream audiences.

"Chinese music has become very popular in Toronto in recent years," Mr So said. "The HKCO is the pride of Hong Kong people. Its members are Hong Kong's music ambassadors. Their performance with the leading local musicians this evening and later at Festival Vancouver will provide great opportunities for Canadians to better understand Chinese culture and appreciate Chinese music."

Chairman and President of the CCC, Dr Ming-Tat Cheung, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to express my special and sincere thanks to the concert’s primary supporter – The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation. Its contributions are greatly appreciated by all of us."

The orchestra's Artistic Director Yan Huichang expressed the group's sincere thanks to foundation for making their visit to Canada possible. "After our last visit 10 years ago, it is our pleasure to perform in Toronto to celebrate the important milestone of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, as well as perform with two renowned local musicians to promote cultural exchanges," he said.

Also present at the meet-the-media session were Deputy Consul General Hao Guangfeng of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto; key musicians of HKCO; representatives of Rogers Communications and Downtown Fine Cars, who are the major sponsors of the Toronto concert.

After the Toronto concert, the HKCO ensemble will join the rest of the 85-member group to perform at the Festival Vancouver closing concert at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia this Saturday.

The Vancouver concert will feature Hong Kong composer Cheng Dazhao's "Yellow River Capriccio", which will require audience participation with each of the audience members playing a hand drum together with the Orchestra.

(Photo caption) At today's (Wednesday) meet-the-media session are (from left) renowned local erhuist George Gao, yangqin master Anna Guo, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's Artistic Director Yan Huichang, Deputy Consul General Hao Guangfeng of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, Chairman and President of the CCC Dr Ming-Tat Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Bassanio So, Consultant of The Robert H N Ho Family Foundation Peter Shiu, orchestra Concert Master/Gaohu master Wong On-yuen, and Deputy Concertmaster/percussion section leader Yim Hok-man.

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For more information, please contact: Stephen Siu, Assistant Director (Public Relations) of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office at: (416) 924-5544 or email: [email protected] or Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected]

At today's (Wednesday) meet-the-media session are (from left) renowned local erhuist George Gao, yangqin master Anna Guo, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's Artistic Director Yan Huichang, Deputy Consul General Hao Guangfeng of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, Chairman and President of the CCC Dr Ming-Tat Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Bassanio So, Consultant of The Robert H N Ho Family Foundation Peter Shiu, orchestra Concert Master/Gaohu master Wong On-yuen, and Deputy Concertmaster/percussion section leader Yim Hok-man.

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