Sydney ETO supports Hong Kong String Orchestra’s Chinese New Year tour in Australia (with photos)

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) supported the Hong Kong String Orchestra (HKSO) in staging five music concerts in Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, with the final performance concluded successfully in Melbourne yesterday (February 7) to celebrate Chinese New Year with local audience, showcasing Hong Kong’s music excellence as well as telling the good stories of Hong Kong. More than 4 000 audiences across Australia have enjoyed the wonderful performances of HKSO.

HKSO’s performances in Australia included an exclusive afternoon concert at the Theatrette of the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW) on February 3. Marking a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Australia, this concert was the first-ever collaboration among the Parliament of NSW, the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney and the Sydney ETO, attracting around 160 guests including the President of the NSW Legislative Council, Mr Ben Franklin, the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, Mr Wang Yu, Members of the Parliament and government officials of NSW, mayors and councillors, as well as Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese community leaders in Sydney.

The Sydney ETO hosted a reception before the concert at the iconic Sydney Opera House on February 2 to welcome the HKSO. About 120 guests including local arts and cultural leaders attended the reception.

The Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr Ricky Chong, said at the reception, “Music has a unique power to connect people across cultures, and the HKSO’s performance is a wonderful testament to the strong and enduring ties between Hong Kong and Australia. Our relationship is built not only on trade and investment, but also on deep cultural and people-to-people connections.”

Mr Chong also introduced to the guests the government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination through innovative thinking. He said that the government would highlight the unique elements of Hong Kong’s local cultural characteristics and make good use of its positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, with a view to shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism.

Led by its Founder and Artistic Director, Professor Yao Jue, the HKSO captivated audience across Australia with a unique programme that blended Western classical works by Vivaldi, alongside pieces that honoured Hong Kong pop songs and traditional Chinese New Year music, including Joseph Koo’s Medley and Spring Festival Overture.

The HKSO started the Australian tour in Adelaide on January 31, followed by performances in Sydney on February 2 and 3, in Canberra on February 5, and in Melbourne yesterday (February 7). The HKSO also showcased their music talent to the guests at the Chinese New Year Reception hosted by the Sydney ETO in Melbourne on February 6.

Ends/Saturday, February 8, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:09

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