Double the Magic of Music:
HK Phil’s Annual Extravaganza
Swire Symphony Under The Stars Returns with Two Performances in November
10 OCT 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org
Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org
[10 October 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is excited to announce the return of its beloved free annual outdoor mega-concert, Swire Symphony Under The Stars on 16 and 17 November 2024 (Sat & Sun) at Central Harbourfront. In view of the overwhelming enthusiasm from music fans, a second performance has been added this year to share the magic of music with an even larger audience. Tickets will be available to the public for free through an online ballot system from 24 October 2024 (Thu).
Join the HK Phil for an enchanting evening under the stars set against the stunning skyline of Central Harbourfront. Under the baton of internationally renowned conductor Elim Chan, who recently delighted audiences at the BBC Proms 2024, the orchestra will take audiences to a world of fairytales and classical masterpieces. Highlights include virtuoso pianist Chiyan Wong performing Tsfasman’s Jazz Suite, and HK Phil Principal Horn Lin Jiang in Glière’s Horn Concerto. They will be joined by presenter Vincent Tang. Music fans can also enjoy the Hong Kong Female Pop Singers Medley, specially arranged by Harris Ho and Pong Law, the magic of Beauty and the Beast, be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and cap off the night with spectacular fireworks set to the exhilarating 1812 Overture.
Online registration for the ticket ballot will be available at suts.hkphil.org/reg from 24 October (Thu) at 12NN to 28 October 2024 (Mon) at 7PM. All registrants have an equal chance to win tickets. The ballot result will be published on the same website on 31 October (Thu). Each ballot winner will receive an email notification.
To share the joy of this wonderful extravaganza with inbound travellers, the HK Phil is pleased to collaborate with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to offer a portion of tickets to the visitors from the Mainland and overseas. Interested visitors can access the online platform designated by HK Phil starting from 24 October to reserve free tickets, or visit the HKTB visitor centres starting from 15 November at Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, or Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Concourse. Tickets for visitors are available on a first-come, first-served basis. More details will be available later.
The first performance on 16 November 2024 (Sat) will be hybrid, with the live concert simultaneously streamed on the HK Phil website, Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as the SwireThrive Facebook page. It will also be broadcast live on RTHK TV 32 and RTHK website.
This free outdoor extravaganza is made possible through the generous support of the Swire Group. As the principal patron of the HK Phil since 2006, Swire is deeply committed to its long-term vision of promoting artistic excellence and fostering cultural appreciation. Together with the HK Phil, Swire aims to bring the world of classical music to the widest possible audience.
Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening of music presented by the HK Phil!
Online Registration for Ticket Ballot (24 October 12NN – 28 October 7PM)
Members of the public can register for the ticket ballot and apply for up to four tickets of either performance on the Swire Symphony Under The Stars webpage suts.hkphil.org/reg from 24 October (Thu) at 12NN to 28 Oct 2024 (Mon) at 7PM. The registrants must provide their name, valid email address and mobile number during registration.
Each person is allowed to register for only one ballot. If duplicate registrations are found, the system will only process the latest registration entry. All registrations submitted during the online registration period have an equal chance of being selected. Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email with a registration reference number.
Ballot Result Announcement (31 October)
The ballot result listed with the registration reference number will be announced at suts.hkphil.org/reg starting from 31 October 2024 (Thu). Winners will receive email notifications and their e-tickets. For admission, they can either show the QR codes on the e-tickets using their smartphones or present the printed tickets.
ABOUT SWIRE SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS
Date: 16 November 2024 (Sat), 7:30PM and 17 November 2024 (Sun), 6:30PM (with an intermission) Gates open for admission 90 minutes before concerts start (i.e. 16 November 6PM & 17 November 5PM)
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Admission: Free Ballot registration from 24 October (Thu), 12NN to 28 October 2024 (Mon), 7PM
Seating Arrangement: Free seating
Reminder: Bring your own mat, food and drinks to enjoy the starry evening Due to security reasons no glassware is allowed in the venue, including bottles, containers and glasses.
Live Streaming Platforms (16 November):
Principal Patron: Swire
Supporting Organisation: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Media Partner: RTHK
TV Live Broadcast (16 November): RTHK TV32
Official Video Technology Partner: MobileVision.ai
***
Programme:
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
DUKAS The Sorcerer's Apprentice
TSFASMAN Jazz Suite for Piano and Orchestra
Alan MENKEN Beauty and the Beast Suite
Arr. Harris HO & Pong LAW Hong Kong Female Pop Singers Medley
ROTA Romeo and Juliet Theme
PROKOFIEV Romeo & Juliet Excerpts
GLIÈRE Horn Concerto: movement III
TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake Excerpts
TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture: Finale
Trade Promotion Competition Licence No.: 59241
***
Artists
Elim Chan, conductor [full description]
One of the most sought-after artists of her generation, Elim Chan performs an unusually wide-ranging repertory of symphonic works extending from the Classical period to the present day. The Sunday Times describes Elim Chan as “a rare example of a young conductor at once brilliant and not in the least showing off.” In January 2022, the Boston Classical Review spoke of a “marvel of control and understanding” following Elim Chan’s debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Elim Chan was Principal Conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra from 2019 to 2024 and Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra from 2018 to 2023.
Chiyan Wong, piano [full description]
Born in Hong Kong, pianist Chiyan Wong’s audacity and vision have captivated listeners, in a repertoire ranging from the early Baroque to the 21st century. Recent highlights from past seasons include his Paris debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, and the Hungarian premiere of Thomas Adès’ Piano Concerto at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. His recital for Premiere Performances Hong Kong, given in the spring of 2021, has been the subject of a feature-length concert film, Encore, which was shown in his native city.
Lin Jiang, horn [full description]
Principal Horn of the HK Phil, Lin Jiang is considered an extraordinarily gifted horn player of his generation. Born in Shanghai in 1986, he moved with his family to Australia at the age of five and began playing the horn at the age of ten. He continued his studies at Scotch College Melbourne, the Victorian College of the Arts and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Music degree with honours. Being one of Australia's most sought after horn soloists, he has performed solos with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony orchestras, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra.
--- END ---