As conductors, Solomon Bard and Chen Xieyang have had a long history with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. Both have made significant contributions to the development of Chinese music and both are popular with Chinese music fans. It will be a homecoming for Bard and Chen to share the concert stage with the HKCO and revisit those good old days of making Chinese music in Hong Kong.
Bard, who has always been interested in Chinese music and its instruments, was Assistant Music Director of the HKCO between 1983 and 1987. In this concert, he will lead the orchestra together with Hsin Hsiao-ling as soloist to perform The Butterfly Lovers. The occasion holds a special meaning for the two because in 1987, Hsin joined the HKCO at the invitation of Bard who had heard her play and was impressed by her talent. So look out for sparks as they make music together with the Orchestra!
Chen has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the HKCO since 1992. He is currently the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the first person in China to be appointed director of a cultural and artistic organization. In this concert, Chen together with the orchestra will take us to a nostalgic trip back in time of 'Shanghai by night'.