Singapore, 29 May 2019 (Wednesday) – After an overwhelming response from 28 May’s Art in Music concert, Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) presents yet another unique artistic experience with renowned Chinese painter Lin Lu Zai with a pre-concert art exhibition themed with the concert titled Blossoming of the Red Flowers – Lin Lu Zai Art Exhibition. The art exhibition will be held on 8 June 2019 (Saturday), 6pm, at the Esplanade Concert Hall Foyer, for concert ticketholders only.
Lin Lu Zai is a renowned artist in Singapore. Born in China, he graduated from the Arts and Technical College in Fujian, China. Lin Lu Zai is the President of Aspiration Fine Arts and Senior Art Advisor of the Singapore Buddha Light Association. He won numerous art awards, held numerous solo and joint exhibitions in China and Singapore, and published numerous publications. Today, he continues to share his passion for Chinese ink painting by teaching at his gallery and in schools, clubs and associations. He believes that art can contribute to charity and has held many exhibitions in recent years in both Singapore and Bhutan to raise funds for charity. In this upcoming exhibition on 8 June, he will specially curate new art works themed with SCO’s concert, for concert audience’s appreciation in addition to music.
This concert by SCO titled Eternal Blossoming of the Red Flowers presents the cultural richness and vast beauty of Shaanbei, and will be held on 8 June 2019 (Saturday), 7.30pm, at the Esplanade Concert Hall. This concert will be conducted by SCO Music Director Tsung Yeh.
SCO collaborates with China’s celebrated banhu master Shen Cheng, suona virtuoso Wang Zhanzhan, Shaanbei’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Successor for Storytelling Gao Yongyuan, folk singer Su Wen and folk artistes from the Mizhi County Wind Percussion Ensemble; a production of anticipation, which will deliver an exhilarating music experience.
Renowned female composer Wang Danhong’s Eternal Blossoming of the Red Flowers depicts the glowing red morning star lilies that bloom on the plateaus of northern Shaanxi, also known as Shaanbei. The flowers grow in between mountain peaks and are often subjected to sandstorms and droughts. Despite the harsh conditions, these resilient flowers continue to thrive. During the blooming season, morning star lilies blanket the mountains and valleys in a mesmerizing sea of red. These flowers represent the Shaanbei region and are deemed as defining characteristics of the folks – honest, resilient and persevering, forthright and passionate. Eternal Blossoming of the Red Flowers premiered at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on 16 October 2017 and was well received.
Be thrilled and enamoured by this masterpiece, which Mizhi County Wind Percussion Ensemble will perform Overture: Rambling in the Sky to mark the start of the concert. SCO will then perform the first movement: Drum Battle at Hukou Waterfall. Deemed as one of Shaanbei’s hundred outstanding talents, talented folk singer Su Wen will charm the audiences at the second movement: Prayer for Rain, with his melodious vocals.
After the third movement: The Colourful Yaodong, Shaanbei’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Successor for Storytelling Gao Yongyuan will be doing an impromptu storytelling during the concert. Gao Yongyuan started storytelling since 16 years old, he will be presenting the four movement: A Strong Wind Blows together with the orchestra, serenading the audiences with his expressive ability. Along with the orchestra, China’s celebrated banhu master Shen Cheng will perform the fifth movement:The Donkey Herder.
Wang Zhanzhan is one of the most popular young suona virtuosos in China today. He will be performing a suona concerto at the sixth movement: A Song to the Heavens. Last but not least, the Mizhi County Wind Percussion Ensemble will perform the finale: Eternal Blossoming of the Red Flowers. During the finale, musicians on stage will also be playing the waist drums and small cymbals; an uplifting visual masterpiece to experience!
Conductor: Tsung Yeh
Composer: Wang Danhong
Storyteller: Gao Yongyuan
Folk singer: Su Wen
Banhu: Shen Cheng
Suona: Wang Zhanzhan
Shaanbei suona: Mizhi wind percussion ensemble
Event details:
Blossoming of the Red Flowers – Lin Lu Zai Art Exhibition
Date: 8 June 2019 (Saturday)
Time: 6pm
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall, Foyer
For concert ticketholders only
Eternal Blossoming of the Red Flowers
Date: 8 June 2019 (Saturday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Ticket prices (before SISTIC fees): $108, $88, $68, $48/$30*
*Concession price
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