This photo shows Celina Chin Man-wah, executive director of HKCO (left), Henry Lai Hin-wing (center), chairman of the Council of HKCO, and Yan Huichang, artistic director and principal conductor for life. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

After a four-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) will once again set foot in the Chinese mainland, embarking on a concert tour of four cities and once again taking audiences on a journey of time through music.

Also, HKCO will return to Australia after 41 years, after being the first Chinese orchestra to perform at the Sydney Opera House, in 1982. The concerts, organized by the China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG), will see HKCO present three traditional and modern Chinese folk music performances — at the Melbourne Town Hall, Sydney Town Hall, and Brisbane Town Hall on Dec 19, 21 and 23 respectively.

Known as the "Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong", HKCO adheres to the concept of "Rooted in Tradition and Innovation" and shoulders the mission and responsibility of promoting Chinese culture

Known as the "Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong", HKCO adheres to the concept of "Rooted in Tradition and Innovation" and shoulders the mission and responsibility of promoting Chinese culture, Yan Huichang, artistic director and principal conductor for life of the HKCO and a recipient of China’s National Class One Conductor title, informed the media in Hong Kong on Nov 10.

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The mainland concerts, themed Bridging the Glorious Dynasties of Ancient China - Yan Huichang and HKCO, will see the orchestra perform at the Guangming Culture and Arts Centre in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Nov 19, the Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall, in Shanghai, on Nov 21, Xi'an Concert Hall, in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, on Nov 23, and Shandong Provincial Grand Theatre, in Jinan, Shandong province, on Nov 26. 

This photo shows Yan Huichang, artistic director and principal conductor for life, speaking to the media in Hong Kong on Nov 10, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HKCO says it is grateful for the support being provided by the Hong Kong government’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau for the mainland concert tour, as well as the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai and its liaison unit in Shandong which are supporting the events in Shanghai and Jinan. 

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Renowned for being the "Champion of Chinese Music", HKCO will present a number of iconic classical pieces during the upcoming tour. 

This photo shows Henry Lai Hin-wing, chairman of the Council of HKCO. On Oct 19, 2023, Henry Lai Hin-wing was appointed the new chairman of the Council of HKCO. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

"The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, which is nearly a half-century old, will continue to present performances and activities of outstanding artistic standards, embodying the characteristics of the times that are integrated and diverse and connected to the world, and promoting the 'harmony' and 'beauty' of Chinese music,” Yan said.

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On Oct 19, Henry Lai Hin-wing, a solicitor, partner and co-chairman of Hong Kong-based law firm P. C. Woo & Co, was appointed the new chairman of the Council of HKCO.

When the HKCO was corporatized in 2001, Lai joined the Council and brought his legal and corporate governance expertise to help to set the strategic direction and make policies for the HKCO.

Contact the writer at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com