Hong Kong Week 2015@Taipei
When Petals Fall in Serenity
Atmospheric Music Theatre by Law Wing-fai
25 & 26/9/2015 (Fri & Sat) 7:30 pm
Theatre, Performing Arts Centre,
National Taiwan University of Arts
Tickets: NT$500, $800 & $1,200
Creative Team
Director / Composer / Librettist: Law Wing-fai
Music Director: Wong Chi-ching
Set and Costume Designer: Tsang Man-tung
Lighting Designer: Leo Cheung
Video Designer: Shing Pok-man
Sound Engineer: Chan Pui-ching
Sound Effect Designer: Shao Qing
Performers
Pipa solo: Wong Chi-ching
Cello: Wendy Law
Vocalists: Margaret Yim, David Quah, Xu Zhibo
Sheng: Loo Sze-wang
Percussion: Margie Tong
Xiao: Zhang Fan
Dizi: Jiang Ning
Erhu: Zhao Guanjie
Pipas: Lam Tsan-tong, Gao Sijia, So Pui-yi
Guzheng: Au Yuen-ying
Tibetan Singing Bowls: Tsang Man-tung
Dancers: Kong Wei, Ye Ran, Yang Zhijun
Tickets available at ArtsTicket now
Online Booking: www.artsticket.com.tw
Programme Enquiries: 2722-1650
Hong Kong Week 2015 Website:
www.hongkongweek-taiwan.hk/en
Wuji Ensemble Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Wuji.Ensemble
Co-Presenters: Wuji Ensemble & National Taiwan University of Arts
Presented by Hong Kong-Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Committee
In association with Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan)
Supported by Hong Kong Tourism Board & Hong Kong Trade Development Council
Music and Dance Redefined
through Ethereal and Serene Interaction
When Petals Fall in Serenity represents an insight into life. If we see flowers blooming and petals falling as the most natural phenomena in nature, we can transcend common misgivings and face any rise and fall with level-headedness and optimism. We will be able to put our minds at ease and deal with obstacles and setbacks that come our way as we journey through life.
Dunhuang, deemed the most precious treasure trove of Chinese history, art and culture, may be viewed in the same light. With the passage of time, the loss of the artefacts and weathering of the grotto paintings, we should perhaps muster a modern outlook with a new perspective to re-interpret, and a contemporary idiom to re-invent and pass on the extant along a different artistic path. It is with this in mind that this atmospheric music theatre was conceived.
When Petals Fall in Serenity has neither storyline nor character-related emotion, only a mood of spiritual serenity. The multi-disciplinary showcase incorporates Tibetan singing bowls, vocals, Chinese and Western music ensemble and solo instrumental music, interpolated with poems, dance, lighting and media images. It unveils a unique dimension and an aesthetic texture of many splendoured artistic depths.
Extension Activities
Pipa Salon Concert
15/8/2015 (Sat) 2:30-3:30 pm
Venue: Stop by Tea House
Host: Wong Chi-ching (Pipa)
Hosted by Wuji Ensemble's music director Wong Chi-ching, the Pipa Salon Concert sets out to reach the souls of the audience. For Wuji Ensemble, the concert stage is more than a venue for the performer to display their virtuosity; it is where the performer opens up their heart to engage the audience in a spiritual conversation through music. This Salon Concert is a gathering where the musician shares her insights into arts, and most importantly, enlightens us with her perception of life.
Vocal Masterclass
18/9/2015 (Fri) 1:30-3 pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Department of Music of National Taiwan University of Arts
Host: David Quah (Tenor)
Renowned Hong Kong tenor David Quah has premiered many operatic roles, the most recent ones being Steven Lee in the Singapore production of Fences by John Sharpley, and the title role in Lo Hau-man's chamber opera The Legend of Zhang Baozai which was premiered in Shanghai Expo 2010. Other premiered roles to his credits include: Pei Yu in Law Wing-fai's Dreaming Plum Blossoms Away; Liu in So Ting-cheong's The Shopkeeper's Daughter; Li Yu in Guo Wenjing's Night Banquet and Chibi and King of Chu in Brian Chatpo Koo'sThe Tomb of Three Kings. Quah has also appeared on concert stages around the world, and he has a wide repertoire ranging from Baroque music to contemporary works, Chinese folk songs and Broadway musical numbers. He currently teaches singing at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and is the Artistic Director of Bel Canto Singers.
In this vocal masterclass, Quah will share his insights and thoughts on the presented pieces, hoping to raise the interest in the appreciation of vocal music among the students and the audience.
Tibetan Singing Bowls Masterclass
18/9/2015 (Fri) 1:30-3 pm
Venue: Fu Zhou Performance Hall, Performing Arts Center of National Taiwan University of Arts
Host: Tsang Man-tung (Tibetan Singing Bowls)
Tibetan singing bowls boast a history of 2,500 years, and were brought to Tibet from India. Originally used as eating utensils by the monks, it was later discovered that the sounds produced by the bowls possess a calming quality that is capable of balancing and regulating the body's seven chakras. Over the years, Buddhist followers have been using the lilting notes of the Tibetan singing bowls to help them in their meditation.
Masterclass host Tsang Man-tung is a renowned Hong Kong stage designer. Recently, Tsang has turned his focus to vibrational medicine and Tibetan singing bowls performance, and has on several occasions performed with Wuji Ensemble. Through this Singing Bowls Masterclass, we hope to introduce the mystical qualities of the Tibetan singing bowls to the participants, and guide them to achieve spiritual and physical balance through vibrational activities.