Drawing inspiration from Franz Paul Lachner’s Frauenliebe und leben, op. 82, which itself was inspired by the set of poems written by Adelbert von Chamisso, this trio chamber concert featured a selection of musical works that portrayed the journey of a woman’s love for a man. The performance, which was given by cellist Eric Yip, soprano Athene Mok and pianist Ingrid Chan, was characterised by its emotional expressiveness, which served to illuminate the narrative of passion and sadness that lay at the heart of the composition.
Semi-staged opera Albert Herring brought a fresh twist by relocating the setting from a quaint English village to the lively shores of Cheung Chau, infusing the story with local flavour and charm. Thank you to our theatrical adapter, Dr Mak Su Yin!
Under the expert direction of Terence Chang, whose vision has led to remarkable success, and alongside the dynamic conductor Jason Liu, 12 musicians and 13 singers have delivered a captivating performance filled with vibrant characters and unforgettable music. We are deeply proud of this remarkable achievement.
In November, Tchaikovsky Competition Gold Medal winner Armenian Narek Hakhnazaryan was in Hong Kong for a cello recital with pianist Rachel Cheung at the piano, showcasing his exceptional talent, artistry and versatility in chamber music. In fact, cellist Sol Gabetta cancelled her Asian tour with Les Siècles and Hakhnazaryan stepped in at short notice to perform the exact programme as planned.
The programme included Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, op. 73, Mendelssohn’s Cello Sonata no. 2 in D Major, op. 58 and Shostakovich’s Cello Sonata in D Minor, op. 40. The concert ended with two additional encore pieces – Paganini: Variations on a theme from Rossini’s opera Moses in Egypt.
Hakhnazaryan is notable for his emotional depth and technical precision, blending traditional interpretations with his unique artistic voice. The performance was engaging, connecting deeply with the audience through his music. Vantage only later found out that the cellist and pianist only managed to have a day of rehearsal before the concert day – it was truly impressive seamless delivery of the programme.
