Saturday, January 30, 2016

Gong Linna in Concert - 14 Feb 2016



Its not often that Chinese folk singers get to be internet viral stars; Gong Linna is certainly the one that comes to mind with the performance of her song Tante, where she delivered the nonsensical lyrics with breathtaking vocal technique and no-holds-barred delivery which equally amused and impressed Youtube users. While many around the world have spoofed her performance, none have come close to matching the style and ability of the original.



Since then, Linna has managed to transform her viral fame into a long-term performance and recording career that, while not as flashy as her breakthrough hit, has garnered her a loyal fan following and respect from the industry.

So here's your chance to catch up with Gong Linna's career as she presents a one-night-only concert in Singapore. Read the write-up below for more information:





“Her voice, a mixture of traditional and contemporary styles, was commanding and full of feeling”
– New York Times

Gong Linna presents an unforgettable concert that showcases her unique vocal artistry, combining incredible technical mastery with a variety of dramatically different Chinese singing techniques.

After her performance of Tante 《忐忑》went viral and garnered over 100 million views on social media, Gong became a household name across China known for her fantastically vibrant vocals. Together with her German composer husband Robert Zollitsch, also known as Lao Luo in China, Gong Linna has released many songs of different styles, all influenced by Chinese traditional music, folk tales and ancient poems. They have been acknowledged as the groundbreaking founders of the genre “New Chinese Music”, a new authentic musical identity deeply rooted in Chinese culture yet profoundly contemporary.

In this concert, Gong performs songs inspired by ancient Chinese poetry including Li Bai’s Bring in the Wine, Wang Wei’s Journey to the Peach Blossom Spring, Qu Yuan’s The Mountain Spirit, as well as her original compositions Walking the Path of Life, Free Bird and Hope.

Date: 14 February 2016
Time: 5pm
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Ticket price:
$38,* $58**, $78^
Concession for students, NSFs and senior citizens: $27*, $41**
^Esplanade&Me specials available
Website URL: https://www.esplanade.com/festivals-and-series/huayi-chinese-festival-of-arts/2016/gong-linna-in-concert

Friday, January 29, 2016

Chamber Music Recital 'Dreams and Mirages' - 8 Mar 2016


The next installment of the Esplanade's Spectrum series is a recital by SSO flautist Roberto Álvarez, harpsichordist Tien Yang and pianist Shane Thio entitled Dreams and Mirages. The trio will present a programme of new chamber works, all Singapore or world premieres, that promises to give you a new perspective of what a harpsichord can do. Here's more information:



Esplanade Presents | Spectrum

Dreams and Mirages
by Roberto Álvarez, Tien Yang and Shane Thio
8 Mar 2016, Tue, 7.30pm
Esplanade Recital Studio


“Trust those who seek the truth but doubt those who say they have found it.” - André Gide

Not everything is as it seems. We will follow our dreams until the land with no frontiers, where time no longer means what we think. Traditions from centuries ago melt with new trends: ancient instruments play new tunes, and old melodies are brought to the present by our contemporaries.

Three of the most sought-after musicians in Singapore, flautist Roberto Álvarez, harpsichordist Tien Yang and pianist Shane Thio join forces to bring a programme of Singapore and World Premieres. New pieces composed for the flute, harpsichord and piano in different combinations that will break a few rules and sweep away stereotypes of harpsichord music.

1hr, no intermission

$25^
Limited concessions for students, seniors and NSFS: $15

^Esplanad and Me specials available. Sign up now at www.esplanade.com to enjoy savings.

Tickets available at SISTIC

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Marting Ng Masterclass - 31 Jan 2016


Madison Academy of Music is proud to present a masterclass by Singapore-born, Italy-trained Martin Ng on 31 January 2016, 1pm to 3pm. Here's more information about what you can expect:

~ Masterclass by Singapore-born, Italy-based opera singer Martin Ng

~ Performance + Learning Opportunity

~ 30 minute session per participant

~ Free for observers

Participants are required to provide for their own accompaniment

Fee: $70 for outside participants, $60 for students of Madison Academy

Please SMS/Whatsapp 9180 9453 or email info@madisonacademy.com to reserve a slot




About Martin Ng:

Born and raised in Singapore, Martin Ng has achieved a career in classical singing that brings him to the stages of Italy, England, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong among many others. Martin graduated in Voice at the Conservatorio dall'Abaco di Verona. He studied under Joy Chen, Rudolf Knoll, Sergio de Bari,Chu Tai-Li and currently with baritone Stefano Anselmi.

He is the winner of the Singapore Lyric Opera International Singer of the Year Award, the 6th Rassegna Concertistica 'Citta di Montichiari' competition in 2011 and finalist in the 1st Jole de Maria International Singing Competition. In August 2014 he performed in a sold-out solo concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio present by The Mad Scene.

Martin's operatic performances include:

~ Colline in La Boheme
~ Ferrando in Il Trovatore
~ Angelotti in Tosca with Opus One Opera (UK),
~ Dottore Grenvil in La Traviata with the Opera San Daniele (Italy),
~ Timur in Turandot
~ First Nazarene in Salome
~ Sarastro in Die Zauberflote
~ Il Commandante and l'Oste in Puccini's Manon Lescaut
~ Masetto in Don Giovanni
~ The Imperial Commissioner and Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly
~ Bauer in Schoenberg's Gurrelieder in Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra
~ Silvio in I Pagliacci by the Singapore Lyric Opera

Friday, January 8, 2016

Zubin Mehta and the Israeli Philharmonic in Review - 7 Jan 2016


The Israeli Philharmonic's concert with 'Musical Director for Life' Zubin Mehta tonight was perfection in every sense of the word.

Security was the tightest I have ever had to go through at a concert, with metal detectors manned by a dozen young police officers as though we are going through customs. The well-heeled queue snaked across the Esplanade foyer all the way to the theatre which thankfully was closed for the night. No wonder as we soon see Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong holding court in the foyer with the Israeli Ambassador Ms. Mamta Mukherjee.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

NEO Ensemble presents 'Stravinsky in France' - 10 Jan 2016



The newly formed New Epoch Orchestral (N.E.O.) Ensemble with conductor Seow Yibin and guest pianist Lim Yan will present a programme of works that Stravinsky composed during his stay in France.

The concert will be held on Sunday 10 January, 5pm at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Check out the trailer below for more information, and find out more information at the Esplanade's website:

https://www.esplanade.com/festivals-and-series/spectrum/2016/bonjour-igor-stravinsky-in-france




FREE: Concert by Israeli Philharmonic Musicians - 10 Jan 2016


After their concert with Zubin Mehta, 6 members of the Israeli Philharmonic will be presenting a free concert at the Botanic Gardens, performing Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Here are more details:



This January, six prominent members from the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra will be extending their stay in Singapore after their one-night concert conducted by Maestro Zubin Mehta to stage their first performance at the Singapore Botanic Gardens since it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The IPO will be performing The Four Seasons by iconic composer Vivaldi on the 10th of January 2016. The free-for-all concert will stand as an emblem of the close and enduring relationship that Israel has always shared with Singapore.

As each thematic movement is associated with a particular season, the composition brings to life moods and scenes from each period and inspires the imagination of the listener in conjuring up a vision of the changing seasons of the year.

A concert in the Park by the Members of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Date: Sunday, 10 January 2016
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage
Admission: Free (Open to Public)