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27th Macao International Music Festival enters third week with the Dragon Quartet, Deserts Xuan and the Gulbenkian Orchestra


The 27th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) enters its third week, bringing chamber, indie and symphonic music to the city. After the success of Mozart's opera Bastien und Bastienne, by the Mozart Opera Institute, the MIMF proceeds with a concert by the Dragon Quartet, to take place on October 16 (Wednesday), at 8pm, at the Dom Pedro V Theatre. The Dragon Quartet was formed in 2012 by the celebrated Chinese musicians Ning Feng and Gu Chen (violins), Jin Zhenhong (viola) and Qin Liwei (cello). In addition to presenting audiences with the traditional masterworks for string quartet, the Dragon Quartet rediscovers rarely performed but outstanding pieces, and promotes contemporary works, especially those of Chinese authorship. This quartet of internationally established soloists brings you a diverse programme of cherished and refreshing works, culminating in Shostakovich's beloved String Quartet No. 8, for an unforgettable musical evening! On October 18 (Friday), at 8pm, Mount Fortress welcomes the Taiwanese indie singer-songwriter Deserts Xuan and her band Algae. The Taiwanese singer is known for her compelling solo performances featuring just her voice and a guitar. She has performed extensively in live music clubs and on university campuses, presenting her latest compositions, which describe her attitude towards life and society. Following her 2006 debut album, My Life Will…, Deserts Xuan released three more records, the latest of which is 2012's Games We Play. Even more recently, she has become prominent on the internet and in student circles and has been distinguished with numerous awards, among them "Best Taiwan/Hong Kong Artist" at the 2009 Beijing Pop Music Awards and "Best Singer-Songwriter", "Best Lyricist", "Best Song Producer" and the "Chairman Award" at the 13th Top Chinese Awards 2013. Deserts Xuan has appeared in Taiwan's Spring Scream and Hohaiyan Rock Festivals, as well as in other music festivals in Mainland China, and has garnered a loyal following within the younger generations. Opening for them at Mount Fortress is local band L.A.V.Y., an old-school rock band consisting of four experienced musicians who never fail to deliver fantastic live performances attracting fans from within the territory and beyond. L.A.V.Y. draw inspiration for their songs from all facets of life, searching for meaning in emotions, dreams and the rapidly changing day-to-day. Admission is free but seating capacity is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. Also on October 18 (Friday), at 8pm at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, the Festival holds its first symphonic concert, by the Gulbenkian Orchestra, which, steered by recently appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Consultant Paul McCreesh, returns to Macao after a long absence, presenting a programme featuring works by Luís de Freitas Branco (Two Melodies), Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro (Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra) and by Antonín Dvorák (Symphony "From the New World"). Established in 1962 by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation as a mere twelve-piece ensemble, the Gulbenkian Orchestra today boasts a permanent body of sixty-six musicians and a repertoire spanning from the classical period to the 20th century. Each season, in addition to giving their regular series of concerts in the Portuguese capital, the Orchestra travels to perform at numerous other venues throughout Portugal and around the world. A concert not to be missed by one of Portugal's most prestigious and talented orchestras! Tickets for the 27th MIMF are still available, in limited numbers, at all Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets. Telephone bookings may be made on 2855 5555.

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All information on this site is based on the official language of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The English version is the translation from the Chinese originals and is provided for reference only. If you find that some of the contents do not have an English version, please refer to the Traditional Chinese or Portuguese versions.