The program at the Macao Cultural Center from April to June seems to be an attractive arts festival: China Philharmonic Orchestra, Li Yundi, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Count Basie Orchestra, Hou Siu Nin Cantonese Opera Troupe, Derevo ...

Though not really a festival, it is a gala in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Macao Cultural Center.

Founded in 1999, the Macao Cultural Center marked a new era in the cultural history of Macao by creating new possibilities for international cultural exchanges as well as providing a new impetus for local cultural development.

The center's efforts in presenting Chinese musicians has helped give new prominence to Chinese culture around the world, noted Wang Jiyan, director of artistic administration of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, which opened the anniversary celebration with a concert on April 6.

"Macao Cultural Center's fifth anniversary program presents a series of high-level performances," said Wang. "We are honored to open the celebration, which is a recognition of not only our orchestra, but also Chinese orchestral music."

At the opening concert, Yu Long, artistic director of the China Philharmonic orchestra, conducted in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 in E minor, opus 64, and Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor, opus 104, with renowned cellist Wang Jian.

Another concert held yesterday and playing today as well is the piano recital of Li Yundi, who became the youngest ever winner in the Chopin International Piano Competition in 2000, at the age of 18. For his Macao debut, Li plays a special program of Chopin and Liszt.

The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre from Taiwan will also make their Macao debut at the Macao Cultural Center, performing Moon Water on May 11 and 12.

Founded in 1973 by famous choreographer Lin Hwai-min, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre has established itself as one of the most accomplished Chinese modern dance companies.

"Flowers in a mirror and the moon on the water are both illusory." Inspired by this Buddhist proverb, Lin creates a phenomenal harmony between the enlightenment of taiji (the supreme ultimate) and the essence of Bach's cello classics.

The fifth anniversary program will balance modern arts with three performances of the Ho Siu Nin Cantonese Opera Troupe from Hong Kong, who will perform The Repatriation of Cai Wenji, Lu Mengzheng -- A Poor Scholar and The Orphan of the Zhao Family from May 14 to 16.

It will be a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see maestro Yuen Siu Fai in his exquisite all-round performances in singing and acting, as well as martial art and recital skills.

In June there will be two more concerts, both from the United States but of different styles: Swingin' Jazz 2004 (June 13) by the Count Basie Orchestra, which is hailed by The New York Post as "the greatest big band working today," and Four Minds in Perfect Harmony (June 26) by the Emerson String Quartet, an ensemble which approaches both classical and contemporary repertoire with equal mastery and enthusiasm.

Upcoming theatrical programs are Amadeus (May 28-30) by Theatre Farmers, Macao's first professional theatre company; Ship in a View (June 17) by the Pappa Tarahumara group from Japan, which has gathered together some of the best inter-disciplinary artists in the country; and Russian performing troupe Derevo's Once (June 29-30), which is a combination of clowning, dance, mime and knockabout comedy.

Produced by CESL Asia Investment Services Ltd, Macao Cultural Center's program and marketing contractor, the fifth anniversary program of the Macao Cultural Center comprises art forms old and new, east and west, performed by artists from Macao and abroad, for the enjoyment of both tourists and locals. As the foreword to the program says, it is "a culmination of the first five years, and a blueprint for the next five."

"I think the audiences in Macao will have higher expectations in terms of quality and diversity of events that will be staged in future in Macao," said Ng Kau, director of Contract Services of CESL Asia and chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association. "I think the cultural scene will continue to thrive with more participation of local groups/artists as well as co-operation between Macao and other neighboring cultural centers."

(China Daily April 30, 2004)