Musicus Fest 2017

The 5th Musicus Fest in 2017 presents

A stellar line-up of artists

Celebrating the musical confluence of Europe and Hong Kong

The 5th Musicus Fest will be held from 22 to 26 November 2017. Led by Artistic Director and renowned cellist Trey Lee, the Musicus Fest celebrates its 5th anniversary with a copious festival program featuring a stellar line-up of artists from across the globe. Among them are the father-and-son team of the legendary 80-year-old maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy and clarinetist Dimitri Ashkenazy, star guitarist Xuefei Yang, as well as our home-grown talent, the 12-year-old award-winning violinist Hannah Tam.

Fully supported by the Government of the HKSAR and Credit Suisse, Musicus Fest 2017 celebrates the musical confluence of Europe and Hong Kong, with a special feature on Italy’s fine music legacy. From the glorious music capital of the Renaissance, the award-winning Mantua Chamber Orchestra performs in Hong Kong for the first time. The orchestra appears in the Festival Opening concert sponsored by Breguet’s Celebration of Excellence as well as in the Festival Finale. The Italian theme is also highlighted in our first-ever children’s concert production, Marco Polo Goes to Carnival.

“Every year, we invite internationally renowned artists and top orchestra to the Musicus Fest. This year, we are joined by the world-renowned maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy and his son Dimitri Ashkenazy; star guitarist Xuefei Yang; established chamber musicians; and singers from around the world; as well as local young rising stars, such as the 12-year-old violinist Hannah Tam. Adding to the exceptional lineup is the children’s concert: Marco Polo Goes to Carnival, our first ever original production.” said Artistic Director, Trey Lee.

“We would like to thank our major sponsors and supporters including the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the HKSAR, Breguet and CITIC Telecom CPC.”

“We are also grateful to the continuous support from Credit Suisse, the Lead Partner of Musicus Fest. Their support enables us to bring fascinating programs and renowned international guests to interact with the aspiring young artists and audience of Hong Kong.”

Dr. François Monnet, Head of Private Banking for Greater China at Credit Suisse said “Nurturing Young Talent is an integral part of the Credit Suisse sponsorship strategy and we work with institutions that have increasingly become springboards for the careers of young artists. We share Mr. Trey Lee’s vision in advancing the artistic excellence of young and talented local musicians through meaningful interaction with the distinguished artists from all over the world.”

Highlights of this year’s program include:
Breguet’s Celebration of Excellence Festival Opening: Out of Austria (23 Nov)
Artistic Director Trey Lee opens the festival with the illustrious father and son team, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Dimitri Ashkenazy. The concert also features the prize-winning Mantua Chamber Orchestra from Italy. Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, made popular by the Oscar-winning movie Out of Africa, and Haydn’s charming Cello Concerto in D, are the highlights of the evening.

Breguet’s Celebration of Excellence Chamber Music Gala (24 Nov)
The chamber concert features a passionate and enchanting program with a strong Spanish flavor. Chinese guitar virtuoso, Xuefei Yang, is the star of the night. Apart from performing as a soloist as she usually does, Yang collaborates with local talents as well as acclaimed international chamber musicians, including Vladimir Mendelssohn, a descendant of a prominent musical family. Hong Kong young flutist David Ma will perform Piazzolla’s “Histoire du Tango” with the star guitarist.

Children’s Concert: Marco Polo Goes to Carnival (25 Nov)
The 5th Musicus Fest brings the colorful masques of the Venetian Carnival to the concert hall in its first-ever original production, Marco Polo Goes to Carnival. The program features newly arranged music by local emerging composer Willis Wong, ballet choreographed by Victoria Vargas from the world famous Joffrey Ballet, as well as the brilliant performances by amazing dancers, musicians and Italian improvised drama actors. The whimsical spectacle showcases improvised acting, ballet and music performed on Chinese and Western instruments.

Finale Concert: La Grande Bellezza Italiana (26 Nov)
The 5th Musicus Fest culminates on a grand finale with an Italian-themed concert, for Italy has always been an important center of classical music and opera. Artistic Director Trey Lee and local violin prodigy Hannah Tam share the stage with two acclaimed vocalists, Sophie Klussmann and Mauro Borgioni. The four soloists are joined by the Mantua Chamber Orchestra under the baton of maestro Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli. Highlights of the concert include Mozart’s Italian arias and Vivaldi’s Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, and Boccherini’s Symphony No.4 in D minor.

The 5th Musicus Fest also features a series of community and education events, open to the public as well as students, such as a Master Class program run by distinguished festival guests and community concerts held at a heritage venue.

More information on Musicus Fest 2017 is available at www.musicussociety.org.
Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk)

A recipient of the Springboard Grant under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Musicus Society gratefully acknowledges its sponsors and partners for Musicus Fest, including Credit Suisse, Breguet, CITIC Telecom CPC, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Cathay Pacific, New World Facilities Management Company Limited, Youth Square, the Faculty of Arts of the University of Hong Kong and the HKU Foundation, the Salisbury YMCA, as well as The Italian Cultural Institute at the Consulate General of Italy.