SINGAPORE – SPH Gift of Music is back this year with a total of 20 concerts with two kicking off the series on Mar 10 and 13.
This free community concert series that celebrated its 10th anniversary last year will offer a diversity of musical genres at different locations across Singapore such as parks, heartlands, shopping malls, concert halls and Esplanade.
Sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), SPH Gift of Music 2016 will showcase various groups including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO), Orchestra of the Music Makers (OMM), The Philharmonic Winds, Singapore Wind Symphony, Ding Yi Music Company, SYC Ensemble Singers and the Esplanade.
Kicking off the series will be two concerts by SSO this month. The national orchestra will perform a lunchtime concert at 12.30pm on Mar 10 at Victoria Concert Hall and an evening concert at 6.30pm on Mar 13 at Gardens by the Bay.
Fans of classical music will be treated to a beautiful programme of famous waltzes and dances through the ages by well-loved composers Bach, Strauss, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and “Yumeiji’s Theme” from Wong Kar-Wai’s award-winning movie In the Mood for Love. The two concerts will be conducted by Jason Lai.
The SCO, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, will perform a series of community concerts at various parts of Singapore including Dakota Crescent, Nee Soon South, Hong Lim Park and Singapore Conference Hall.
This year’s Opera in the Park by SLO, on Jun 4, will commemorate William Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary with a special programme comprising operas and musicals based on the works written by the great English poet and playwright.
The music series will also bring back two well attended festivals, namely Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts from Aug 4 – 7 and Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts from Nov 18 – 27 at the Esplanade which will feature an exciting selection of classical to contemporary performances by Malay and Indian artistes in Singapore and the region.
Other highlights this year include Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir in the Park at Singapore Botanic Gardens onSep 3, choral performances by the SYC Ensemble Singers at National Gallery on Nov 26, Beethoven at the Movies by OMM on Dec 10, as well as community concerts by The Philharmonic Winds, Singapore Wind Symphony and Ding Yi Music Company.
SPH Gift of Music was first launched on May 1, 2005 as a musical gift to the nation with a concert by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Since then, it has grown in scale and popularity, and has helped many local musicians showcase their talent and expand their reach.
Visit SPH Gift of Music’s website for the full list concerts.
