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Musicus Heritage 2016: From Buenos Aires to Helsinki: A Midsummer Tango Journey

06.13.2016
Hong Kong, 7 June 2016 – Legendary Finnish dance music band Dallapé will visit Hong Kong for the first time this month, bringing with them a rare treat – Finnish tango music – and featuring a rising local star in harmonica player Patrick Yeung.

With Credit Suisse back as lead partner, this free event will kick off a new season of the Musicus Heritage Community Concert Series and will be held at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (formerly Cassels Block of the Old Victoria Barracks), a Grade 1 historic building, on 24 June 2016.

“Musicus Heritage aims to make music a more dynamic part of Hong Kong’s history and culture by presenting world-class performers at various locales and settings while placing the music in context with the historical and cultural significance of its surroundings. Hong Kong’s rich history as an entrepôt of trade and cultures allows myriad opportunities to showcase music that can highlight the history of the city, or simply reflect upon the spirit of the setting in which the music is presented,” said Musicus Society Artistic Director Trey Lee.

Commenting on Credit Suisse’s continued support, Francois Monnet, Head Greater China for Private Banking at Credit Suisse, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Musicus Society again for a second year. At Credit Suisse, promoting culture and heritage as well as nurturing talented young artists in the local community remains at the core of our corporate sponsorship philosophy. Through our continued partnership with Musicus Society, we also look forward to bringing to our clients and the community in Greater China the best of classical music from both local and international artists.”

From Buenos Aires to Helsinki: A Midsummer Tango Journey is the theme of the free opening concert. Tango emerged from Argentina in the 1900s – the same era during which our concert venue – the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, a Grade 1 historic building – was built. This music developed a unique style once it arrived in Finland.

The night begins with Argentinian tango classics followed by Finnish tango classics, from the traditional to new creative works by the legendary Finnish dance music band Dallapé, the oldest entertainment orchestra in all of Europe, having been established in 1925.  

Juha Hostikka (band leader and vocalist) and Niko Kumpuvaara (accordionist) will showcase tango music that comes at a rather fast tempo, but is also elegant – the perfect way to kick-off the Musicus Heritage Concert Series 2016/17 season.

Apart from his work with Dallapé, Juha Hostikka is known for his numerous roles in operas and musicals, having performed as the lead vocalist for many symphony orchestras, and at many festivals around Finland and Europe, including the Savonlinna Opera Festival and The Proms in London.  

Accordionist Niko Kumpuvaara is also known for the diversity of his work, which transcends traditional genre restrictions. With a primary focus on contemporary accordion music, he has premiered music by Kirmo Lintinen and Ere Lievonen among others. As a soloist, he has performed with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra and the Oulu Symphony.

Representing Hong Kong’s rising musical talents will be harmonica player Patrick Yeung, a laureate of the Taiwan International Harmonica Elite Competition 2015. Patrick will partner with the Finnish musicians on one of Astor Piazzolla’s best-loved pieces, Oblivion.

Guest speaker for a pre-concert heritage talk will be Dr. Au Hin Fung, research associate of HKBU History Gallery Project at Hong Kong Baptist University, who will introduce the history of the venue. The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre was converted from Cassels Block, built in the early 20th century in the Edwardian style as married quarters for officers. It is one of the few conserved military buildings in the Admiralty area.
Musicus Heritage Community Concert Series – From Buenos Aires to Helsinki: A Midsummer Tango Journey
 Date: 24.6.2016 (Friday)
 Venue:  Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre (Former Cassels Block of Old Victoria Barracks), 7A Kennedy Road, Central, Hong Kong
 Artists: Vocalist: Juha Hostikka (Finland)
Accordion: Niko Kumpuvaara (Finland)
Harmonica: Patrick Yeung (Hong Kong)
 Time: 6:30pm – 7:00pm Pre-concert Heritage Talk  (Conducted in Cantonese)
7:30pm – 8:30pm Concert
Free Online registration: http://musicus-midsummertango.eventbrite.hk
Enquiry: 3974 6601

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Media Enquiry:
Musicus Society
Wincy Wang, Assistant Marketing and PR Manager
Tel:3758 2735/ 9037 9087
Email:wincy@musicussociety.org