Opera in the Park 2018 - Gounod and Bernstein - 23 June 2018

The Singapore Lyric Opera with its combined Children's Choir, Chorus, Orchestra and singers from the Artists Training Programme together with conductor Joshua Kangming Tan present an evening of operatic delights in the natural beauty of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The evning's soloists are Cherie Tse, Zhang Jie, Chieko Sato, Zerlina Tan, Jack Sun Zhaorui and Dennis Lau from the Artists Training Programme. In commemoration of the birthdays of Charles Gounod and Leonard Bernstein, They will present many arias and duets from Romeo et Juliette, Faust, Trouble in Tahiti and West Side Story.

Additionally, the combined chorus and orchestra will present an encore performance of the Triumphal March from Aida. If you have missed our exciting run earlier or would like to experience its magic again, now is your chance to do so!

Opera in the Park takes place at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Symphony Stage, 23 June 2018, Saturday at 6pm. Admission is FREE! 

FREE: NUS Symphony - Orchestra Symphony in the Park - 24 Sep 2016

The NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO) would love to extend an invitation to their free concert at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on the 24th of September for members of the public. The concert will be conducted by maestro Lim Soon Lee, featuring the prize-winning young violinist Ronan Lim.

The performance will feature popular soundtracks from film classics such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Dark Knight Rises, Schindler's’ List and Jurassic Park. Check out the flyer above for more information!

Interview: Khew Yun Zhen and Friends in Concert (FREE) - 1 July 2016 (Fri), 6pm

Pianist Khew Yun Zhen will present a full-length chamber music concert at the Steinway Gallery on Friday 1 July 2016, 6pm as part of Madison Academy of Music's Faculty Concert Series (coincidentally where I also teach :p).

This concert promises to be quite an event with numerous guests including cellist Shernise Khor, violinists Lydia Wong and Alvin Wan, baritone Alvin Tan and tenor Leslie Tay.

Entry is free by RSVP. Check out our little discussion below, and email dancyzhen@gmail.com to reserve a seat!

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The Mad Scene: Hi Yun Zhen, thank you for doing this interview with The Mad Scene. Firstly, what can we expect to hear at your Madison Faculty Concert at Steinway Gallery?

Yun Zhen: Hi Steven, thanks for having me! This concert will see me playing with many of my fellow musician friends in quite a varied programme from the Romantic and 20th century. I will be performing two sets by Bridge and Mendelssohn with my piano trio consisting of myself, Shernise Khor on cello and Alvin Wan and Lydia Wong on violin respectively. Our colleagues, tenor Leslie Tay will present a new transcription of Rachmaninoff's Vocalise with Lydia and baritone Alvin Tan will sing two numbers as well. I won't reveal the full programme, you'll just have to come and find out!

Free Tickets for Kids at 'Shrek the Musical'!

BASE Entertainment is offering free tickets for kids to Shrek the Musical. All you have to do is film a video and upload onto their Facebook Page. For the grown-ups, check out the Events Page to find out how to get tickets!

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FREE: Asian Contemporary Ensemble's 'Xperienz: In C'

Here is an exciting concert that contrasts the contemporary with the traditional, with Terry Riley's In C and Beethoven's Symphony no.5 in C Minor forming the programme. You get to sit and even play between musicians and watch the NUS Centre for Quantum Physics perform a presentation with the music as well. Check out the group's description below for more information:

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ASIAN CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE'S XPERIENZ: IN C
NUS ARTS FESTIVAL 2016

Event Details

Date: March 25, 2016 (Friday)
Performance: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm (including a 20-min FAQ session/intermission)
Venue: Dance Studio, University Cultural Centre
Dress Code: Casual

Programme

Beethoven's 5th Symphony in C Minor
- FAQ session/intermission -
Terry Riley's In C

A recipient of NAC's Seed Grant from 2014 to 2017, the Asian Contemporary Ensemble launches its 2016 season, entitled Beethoven's Destiny, with XPerienz: In C. Our interactive musical journey unfolds with Beethoven's 5th Symphony in C Minor, under the baton of our Artistic Director Kahchun Wong, who is currently holding a fellowship in music education with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Audiences get to sit between musicians and experience the performance from the inside out! During the intermission, an informal FAQ session will break down barriers completely, setting the stage for the highly interactive second half of the evening - A reading of Terry Riley's minimalist work "In C", where audiences are invited to bring along their musical instruments and jam together with us! Come and join over 40 musicians performing on a tantalizing "rojak" of western and Asian ethnic instruments!

XPerienz: In C is a production conceived in collaboration with the NUS Arts Festival 2016, and also features science in musical action by the Centre for Quantum Technology.

FREE: TPCC Open Rehearsal (9 Mar, 7.30pm), Concert on 13 Mar, 5pm

The Philharmonic Chamber Choir with guest conductor Manfred Schreier is giving a free open rehearsal tonight at Victoria Concert Hall in preparation for their concert this coming Sunday, 5pm. Friends who are interested in the behind-the-scenes process should not miss the opportunity to observe how one of Singapore's best choirs rehearse. Tickets for the concert are available at SISTIC.

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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:

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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)

Free: Voices - A Festival of Song by the Esplanade

Voices - A Festival of Song is a music festival that celebrates vocal ensembles in every form - from traditional choral to a capella groups, show choirs and solo singers. Workshops in vocal technique and choral conducting are also available.

Best of all? Its FREE! On the bill are the Singapore Men's Chorus, choir Evokx, crossover group Singerporean Cantate, Taiwanese a capella group Sirens and Singapore Idol alum Mathilda d'Silva.

Voices - A Festival of Song runs from 5 to 7 December. Click on this link for the full line-up of performers and events:

FREE: SLO Outreach - 16 May 2015 (Saturday, 6pm)

The SLO Chorus is presenting an outreach concert of opera scenes this coming Saturday, 16 May 2015 at 6pm. On the programme are scenes from Carmen, Pagliacci, Traviata, Die Fledermaus, Rigoletto and many more. There will be some great voices on display. Come check it out!

FREE: Opera in the Park 2015 - 6 June 2015

This year's installment of Opera in the Park features a number of debutants, namely conductor Wong Kah-Chun who has been making debuts with orchestras worldwide and counts Kurt Masur as an important mentor. Singers lined-up are YSTCM students Mary Burke and Yoo Seol-Ah (sopranos) and baritone Daegyun Jeong, mezzo Anna Koor and tenor Jeremy Koh.

Check out the SLO website for more information:
http://singaporeopera.com.sg/currentseason/1516/opera-in-the-park.php?menugroup=0 

FREE: Vox Camerata's 'Vita Dolorosa', 6 April 2014

Vox Camerata presents an evening of sacred music from the renaissance to the contemporary,  as well the world premiere of a newly commissioned work Tryptica Mater. More details via the flyer above and at their Facebook Invite Page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/257144861128662/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

FREE SSO and Children's Choir Concert at Paragon: 1 March 2014, 3pm

Step out of the Gucci store for a moment at 3pm and enjoy this free concert by the SSO and its associate children's choir. Here's more information:

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A gift of music at Paragon; SSO and SSCC to give free concert on 1 March 2014

Come on down to Paragon on Orchard Road on March 1, and be in for a musical treat as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir bring you a free performance in the SPH Gift of Music series. This will be the orchestra’s first time performing in the Paragon Shopping Centre. The concert will feature familiar favourites such as music from the movie Star Wars and the opera Carmen, as well as well-loved songs such as Summertime and When You Believe from The Prince of Egypt.

The Second Prize winner of the 2008 Dimitri Mitropoulos International Competition, Singaporean conductor Joshua Tan has won numerous awards and scholarships, including the Shell-NAC Arts Scholarship, SSO/MOE Scholarship and is the first-ever recipient of the Charles Schiff Conducting Prize from the Juilliard School. He received the Young Artist Award of Singapore in 2011. After a successful stint as Resident Conductor of Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra from 2009 to 2012, Joshua was appointed Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Director of the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra from the 2013 season.

The Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir gave its debut performance in 2007 at the SSO's Christmas Concerts and have performed with the SSO in Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Berlioz’s Te Deum and Orff’s Carmina Burana as well as in the Christmas concerts every year.


Please contact the Media Officer for photographs and interviews.

SPH Gift of Music Series: SSO @ Paragon

Date & time
1 March 2014 (Saturday), 3.00pm

Venue
Main Atrium
Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road

Featuring
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Joshua Tan, conductor
Singapore Symphony Children's Choir
Lim-Quek Soo Hiang, conductor

FREE SCO Concerts - 18 and 19 Jan 2014

Music Oasis – Greetings of Spring
Date: 18 January 2014 (Saturday)
Time: 6pm
Venue: Gardens by the Bay – Super Tree Grove

Keppel Land - SCO Outdoor Rhapsody: Greetings of Spring
Date: 19 January 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 6pm
Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Free admission

The SCO will perform in two free concerts with conductor Moses Gay. The programme will feature Li Huan Zhi’s Spring Festival Overture, Gu Guan Ren’s Sturdy Steeds Gallop, Leroy Anderson’s Horse and Buggy, Johann Strauss’s Voices of Spring, Lo Leong Fai’s Spring, Li Min Xiong’s A Well-matched Fight, Huang Yi Jun’s Full Moon Blossoms and Spring Festival Suite.

FREE (but donations appreciated): Benefit Concert "Albert Tiu and Friends" for Typhoon Haiyan Relief

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A message from Yong Siew Toh Conservartory of Music piano associate professor and native Filipino Albert Tiu:

Dear friends,

I would like to invite you to a benefit concert Albert Tiu and Friends next Thursday, 21 November 2013, at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, in aid of the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Organised in collaboration with Kris Foundation and with venue support from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, this concert will feature works by Schubert, Saint-Saens, Piazzolla and Joshua Pangilinan amongst others.

 I am grateful that my friends, YST colleagues and students have volunteered to perform with me during this occasion. This will not be a ticketed event. We will be accepting donations by cheque or cash at the door, the proceeds of which will be directed to the Singapore Red Cross Society and the Philippine Bayanihan Society (Singapore). In the wake of such massive destruction and devastation to the region of the Visayas that is my hometown, no amount is too small. Your presence and support will be much appreciated!

Admission is by registration - please email me at albert_tiu@nus.edu.sg to indicate the number of seats you would like. Donation by cheque is preferred, made payable to "Singapore Red Cross Society". Please write "Red Cross Haiyan Relief" on the back of the cheque along with your name, contact number and address. I look forward to seeing you and thank you in advance for your support and kind donations.

Albert Tiu
Associate Professor of Piano
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music

Free Streaming: Antonio Pappano's War Requiem

Antonio Pappano's recording of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem is no available for pre-order, you can also listen to the entire album via streaming on Soundcloud. It features Anna Netrebko, Ian Bostridge and Thomas Hampson as soloists. You can listen to it here:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/oct/15/brittens-war-requiem-centenary-live-stream-pappano

Another Free SCO Concert - 13 Oct 2013 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Chinese Orchestra presents another free concert a day after their free gig at Hong Lim Park! This one is at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and features a different progamme.

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Keppel Land - SCO Outdoor Rhapsody: World of Animals
Date: 13 October 2013 (Sunday)
Time: 6pm
Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Free admission

FREE SCO Concert at Hong Lim Park! 12 Oct 2013

SCO Community Concert: Euphonic Folk Tunes
Date: 12 October 2013, Saturday
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Hong Lim Park
Free admission

Resident Conductor Quek Ling Keong

Assistant Conductor Moses Gay

SPH Gift of Music Series presents SCO Community Concert at Hong Lim Park

Singapore, 13 September 2013 (Friday) – Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) returns to Hong Lim Park on 12 October 2013 to present an evening of international folk tunes to the community! This concert is made possible with the support from Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) under the SPH Gift of Music Series. Admission is free.

Under the baton of Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong and Young Assistant Conductor-in-Residence Moses Gay, audience will go on a tour with the SCO on a trip to revisit folk music around the world. Travel to America with Kentucky and Susanna, China with Colourful Jiangnan, Taiwan with Capriccio of Taiwan Folk Tune, Melodic Potpourri which is a medley of favorite pieces including Japanese folk tune Sakura, English folk tune Farandole, our very local Chan Mali Chan, and more. Renowned soprano Zhou Xiaoman will also sing familiar pieces - Tibetan Highlands and Under the Silvery Moon.

The SPH Gift of Music Series has been entertaining Singapore audience since its launch in 2005. Supported by SPH, the popular free concert series has brought music to the community in various locations such as the heartlands, parks, shopping malls, schools, campuses and the Esplanade.

FREE SSO Concert at Kranji Racecourse!

Join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as they cheer on the stable of racehorses with a free concert! Here's more information:

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Joshua Tan and the SSO at the Singapore Racecourse (Kranji)

Join Joshua Tan and the SSO at the Singapore Racecourse (Kranji) on September 14 as they perform familiar favourites such as Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture and Shostakovich’s Ballet Suite No. 1. Children may look forward to receiving free balloon sculptures and photo-taking with friendly Singapore Turf Club mascots Racer and Clover!

SSO @ The Racecourse is a community project the SSO to reach out to Singaporeans from all walks of life and is supported by the Singapore Turf Club. Gates open from 6.30pm. Concert is subject to prevailing weather and environmental conditions. Complimentary parking is available from 6pm at the Singapore Racecourse.

Free Screening of Disney's "Tangled" this Friday

Rookie theatre company Yellow Chair Productions is offering a free screening of Disney's animated movie Tangled this coming Friday. Here are details:

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After screening the 25th anniversary edition of the Phantom of the Opera last year, Yellow Chair Productions takes a break from the showcase series to screen Disney's Tangled! This classic tale of Rapunzel and her famous long hair is brought to life by Disney in a charming and magical film which includes the hit song, "I See The Light".

What better way to spend a cozy Friday evening this June holiday at the library@esplanade with your loved ones! Tangled is the perfect way to introduce a musical to someone you know. Bring your children, bring your partner, bring everyone in the family!

Date: Friday, 14th June 2013
Venue: library@esplanade
Time: 7pm
Running Time: 100 minutes
Admission is FREE

Opera in the Park 2013 (free concert, 15 June) + Interview with Su Yiwen

 Opera in the Park returns this coming Saturday with a cast of new and old faces including Soprano Su Yiwen, mezzo-soprano Anna Koor, alto Azura Farid, tenor Melvin Tan and baritone William Lim. We speak to China-born Su Yiwen about the upcoming concert, why she chose to come to Singapore and the success she has received here.

The Mad Scene: Good afternoon Yiwen, thanks for doing this interview with The Mad Scene! How are you today?

Yiwen: I'm fine, thank you.