HK Phil’s Annual Outdoor Extravaganza 
Swire Symphony Under The Stars Returns This November
Let’s Experience the Rhythm of the City at the Central Harbourfront
Ticket Ballot Starts from 26 October

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

Download Here

[16 October 2023, Hong Kong] Swire Symphony Under The Stars, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s (HK Phil) much-anticipated free annual outdoor mega-concert will take place on 18 November 2023 (Sat) at the Central Harbourfront! Tickets will be allocated to the public for free through an online ticket ballot system. 

This year, the popular music extravaganza will feature the HK Phil Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman, who will perform both as a conductor and a piano soloist, Principal Cello Richard Bamping, distinguished sopranos Louise Kwong and Vivian Yau, renowned arts educators and vocalists Crisel Consunji and Roy Rolloda, and TV presenter Heidi Chu. Together, they will transport the audiences to the captivating worlds created by legendary composers John Williams, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gershwin. Moreover, the audience will be taken on a nostalgia trip to the glory days of the Hong Kong films with music specially arranged by Johnny Yim. This delightful evening under the stars will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks display, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s triumphant 1812 Overture: Finale. 

In view of the overwhelming responses with tremendous enthusiasm from music fans in previous years, this year’s concert tickets will be allocated to the public for free through a ballot system. Online registration for the ticket ballot is available at suts.hkphil.org/regfrom 26 October (Thu) at 12NN to 30 October 2023 (Mon) at 7PM. All registrants have an equal chance of winning tickets. The ballot result will be published on the same website on 2 November (Thu). Each ballot winner will receive an email notification.

This year’s concert will go hybrid again with the live performance simultaneously live streamed on the HK Phil website, Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as the Swire TrustTomorrow Facebook page. It will also be broadcast live on RTHK TV 32 and rthk.tv.

In support of the Government’s Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign, Swire Symphony Under The Stars ticket-holders could enjoy exclusive offers by Swire Properties, including 25% off beverage items at Salisterra Bar at The Upper House and Sugar of EAST Hong Kong from 18 to 25 November (after 6PM), and one extra hour of free parking* at Pacific Place, Cityplaza and Citygate Outlets from 18 to 30 November.

* On top of existing parking offers

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.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the HK Phil, a series of exclusive merchandise in collaboration with local brands and artists will be available for purchase at Swire Symphony Under The Stars.

Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable evening of music, and let the HK Phil enchant you under the stars!

Online Registration for Ticket Ballot (26 October 12NN – 30 October 7PM)

Members of the public can register for the ticket ballot on the Swire Symphony Under The Stars webpage suts.hkphil.org/reg from 26 October (Thu) at 12NN to 30 Oct 2023 (Mon) at 7PM. Each person can register for the ballot to apply for a maximum of four tickets. The registrants must provide their name, valid email address and mobile number at the time of registration.

Each person will be allowed to register for only one ballot, and the system will only process the latest registered record if there is any duplication. All registrations made 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 (2 November)

The ballot result along with the registration reference number will be announced at suts.hkphil.org/reg starting from 2 November 2023. Ballot winners will also be notified via email. Tickets will be sent to the registered email address of the ballot winners in one go. Ballot winners should save the e-tickets on their smartphones or print them out. For admission, they can either show the QR codes on the e-tickets using their smartphones or present the printed tickets.

ABOUTSWIRE SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS

Date:                18 November 2023 (Sat), 7:30PM (with an intermission)

                        Gates open at 6PM

Venue:              Central Harbourfront

Admission:      Free

Ballot registration from 26 October (Thu), 12NN to 30 October 2023 (Mon), 7PM

Seating

arrangement:    Free seating

Reminder:        Bring your own mat, food and drinks to enjoy the starry evening

Live streaming platforms:

• HK Phil’s website, Facebook page, YouTube channel
• Swire’s TrustTomorrow Facebook page

Principal Patron: Swire

Media partner and TV live broadcast:

• RTHK TV32, rthk.tv

Official Sanitization Service Partner: Germagic

Official Video Technology Partner: TFI

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Programme:

Trade Promotion Competition Licence No.: 57722

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Artists

Lio Kuokman, conductor/piano [full description]

Currently Resident Conductor of the HK Phil, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, and Programme Director of the Macao International Music Festival, Lio Kuokman was praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “a startling conducting talent”. He won the second prize, Audience Prize and Orchestra Prize at the third Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris, and served as the first Chinese Assistant Conductor at the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has successfully collaborated with many leading orchestras across the globe.

Louise Kwong, soprano [full description]

Louise Kwong’s musical achievements are recognised by being awarded one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Awards in 2019, and the Young Artist Award by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council in 2014. Internationally, she made debuts at the Rome Opera House as Mimì in La Bohème, and as Micaëla in Carmen at Caracalla Rome. She has performed in different opera houses such as the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam and the Graz Opera House in Austria.

Richard Bamping, cello [full description]

Richard Bamping has been Principal Cello of the HK Phil since 1993. He has performed with many of the finest musicians of recent history – Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Leonidas Kavakos, Mstislav Rostropovich, Carlo Maria Guilini, Valery Gergiev, Leonard Bernstein, Lorin Maazel, Sir Colin Davis and Claudio Abbado, to name but a few. Bamping has performed many of the staples of the solo cello repertoire with orchestras from Europe to the Far East. He has a great passion for playing chamber music with friends and colleagues whenever he gets the chance.

Vivian Yau, soprano [full description]

Hailed as “a light, silvery, bright soprano with impressive coloratura” (The Aspen Times), Hong Kong soprano Vivian Yau has collaborated with renowned orchestras and opera companies such as the HK Phil, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Macao Orchestra, and West Edge Opera. Recent highlights include performing the role of Rosina in The Barber of Seville with both Aspen Opera Center and the Mediterranean Opera Festival, the title role of Silent Opera UK’s immersive production Vixen at the 2023 Hong Kong Arts Festival, title role in the world premi e re of Pierangelo Valtinoni’s Alice in Wonderland at the 2021 Hong Kong Arts Festival, and her Carnegie Hall d e but in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio alongside T he Cecilia Chorus of New York.

Heidi Chu, presenter [full description]

Heidi Chu is the second runner-up and Miss Goodwill International of Miss Hong Kong 2001. She is currently a contract actress of TVB Limited and a programme host of Radio Television Hong Kong. She holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)'s business administration department and a master's degree in corporate communication, also from CUHK. With her insights into the business world and keen market acumen, she has hosted the TVB financial programme Hong Kong Live and Money Smart on the high-definition Jade Channel. She is currently the host of Jade Channel's Scoop and RTHK radio 2 Morning Suite.

Crisel Consunji, presenter/vocal [full description]

Crisel Consunji is an award-winning actress, singer, early childhood educator, and entrepreneur. Known for her award-winning performance in the acclaimed 2018 Hong Kong film Still Human (HKFA Best New Performer winner, HKFA Best Actress nominee), Crisel’s roots in the performing arts go back to her childhood, as a musical stage actress for Repertory Philippines. In 2008, she moved to Hong Kong to work as a vocalist for Hong Kong Disneyland, and has since been acclaimed for her projects on stage, film, and TV. Her most recent headlined concerts are A Night at the Musicals with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, and Disney Live in Concert for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Roy Rolloda, presenter/vocal [full description]

Roy Rolloda is Creative Director at Creative Collab with more than 25 years of experience as a professional performer and creative arts educator. As an accomplished musical theatre actor, he has headlined musicals around Asia, and was part of the opening team principal vocalists for Hong Kong Disneyland’s The Golden Mickeys. He was also a member of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Miami performing Broadway calibre shows. Singapore Action Theatre cast him to play Eng in the musical Chang and Eng in Singapore and Bangkok. In Hong Kong, Roy has worked with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, Golden Voice Entertainment, Dove Tales Theatre Company, MQ Productions, The MOZZ, The Seventh Sense Limited, and Face Productions. He has also hosted multiple corporate events.