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Dubbed the "Paganini of the harmonica" by the Los Angeles Times, harmonica master Robert Bonfiglio will join the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong to perform in "Harmonica Americas" next month.
Under the baton of guest conductor Andrew Sewell, Bonfiglio and the orchestra will perform Copland's "Three Latin-American Sketches", Villa-Lobos' "Concerto for Harmonica", Michael Torke's "Adjustable Wrench", Santoro's "Ponteio for Strings" and Sir George Martin's "Three American Sketches".
Robert Bonfiglio has dazzled audiences worldwide with his versatility in a wide range of styles from classical harmonica concertos to sizzling blues.
He studied composition with Aaron Copland and harmonica with Chinese classical virtuoso Cham-ber Huang.
Bonfiglio has performed as a soloist with the world's top orchestras as well as the Boston Pops with John Williams on PBS Television. His recording of the Villa-Lobos harmonica concerto with Gerard Schwarz and the New York Chamber Symphony Orchestra was released to critical acclaim.
Guest conductor Andrew Sewell is currently the music director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and the Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas. His previous appointments include five years as music director and conductor of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra in Ohio and resident conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.
Sewell has conducted several orchestras in and outside the United States including the Toronto, Detroit, Milwaukee, Columbus, Spokane, Kyushu and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras, the Oregon Mozart Players and the National Symphony of Mexico. In 1997, the New Zealand-born conductor was awarded the prestigious Star Award by the New Zealand Aotea Performing Arts Trust.
Renowned for its innovative approach to classical music programming, the City Chamber Orchestra has established itself as one of Hong Kong's leading orchestras since its inception in 1999. Comprising professional musicians resident in Hong Kong, the group specialises in the performance of small and intimate works for orchestra.
The orchestra has given regular concerts with distinguished local and international artists, including Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri, legendary British baritone Sir Thomas Allen, French saxophonist Claude Delangle, Chinese pianist Kong Xiangdong, Hong Kong actor Jim Chim, British clarinet prodigy Julian Bliss and the Scottish folk group, The Whistlebinkies.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Harmonica Americas" will be staged at 8pm on Saturday, May 24, at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall.
Tickets priced at $100, $140 and $180 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients may have 50% off (limited quotas for CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis).
For enquiries about the programme and the master class by Robert Bonfiglio (to be conducted in English), call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Saturday, April 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:01
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