Macao gears up for a month of music and festivities

Conductor Christoph Poppen

Macao is preparing for a month of music as the 23rd Macao International Music Festival (MIMF) opens today and preparations for the annual Lusofonia Festival are well underway.

This year's MIMF marks the 60th anniversary of New China and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and is set to embrace opera, symphonic, choral and chamber music. Contemporary music, folk, pop, fusion and jazz are all on the program that is brimming with artists from across the world.

Ensembles and soloists from the UK, Germany, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland will be among the international acts. Portugal, the US, Argentina, Venezuela, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia are also on the bill alongside Chinese acts and artists.

The Butterfly Lovers from Macao Orchestra is headlining and opening the program with the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (DRP), under the direction of principal conductor Christoph Poppen, bringing the symphonic program of the festival to an end.

The festival's fusion section features American group Flexible Music and Berlin-based contemporary jazz ensemble Link Together, performing on October 20.

Preparations are also under way for Macao's 12th annual Lusofonia Festival, a significant event on the SAR's musical calendar, traditionally celebrated by the Portuguese-speaking community.

Organized by Macao's Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Lusofonia Festival is aimed at promoting Portuguese culture in the community.

In addition to singing and dancing performances by local groups, a six-piece band from Portugal and an eight-piece band from Angola will join in the festivities with rock, folk and modern music.

Local communities from 10 different Portuguese-speaking countries and regions, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, will take part in the festival to share cuisine, culture, dance and celebration.

The event is scheduled to take place from October 23-25.

Agencies

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