Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, this year’s Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from its Portuguese acronym), is themed “For a Special Year”, aiming to inspire people with music during the epidemic. Considering the public’s enthusiastic response, additional seats at the balcony of the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium will be open to the public for the Macao Chinese Orchestra 2020-2021 Season Opening Concert “A Century of Chinese Music”, to be held on 4 October, at 8pm. Tickets are now available at the Macau Ticketing Network.

This year’s MIMF kicks off with the Macao Chinese Orchestra’s concert season opening concert “A Century of Chinese Music”, in commemoration of the founding of the Datong Music Society in Shanghai 100 years ago, which spearheaded the development of contemporary Chinese music. Prominent pipa master, Zhang Hongyan, and accomplished contemporary guzheng soloist, Luo Jing, were invited to present signature pieces with majestic momentum. An appealing concert that aficionados will certainly not want to miss.

In the concert “Mahler Symphony No. 1” to be held on 10 October, at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, the Macao Orchestra and the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra will present Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in order to promote artistic exchanges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In addition, the Macao Orchestra will perform the first movement of Echoes from the Old Macao, a composition by local composer Lam Bun-Ching commissioned by the Macao Orchestra, which reminisces the bygone days of Macao; while young violinist Huali Dang will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5.

The concert “Bravo Macao!”, which offers a platform for young local musicians to showcase their talents, will be staged at the Dom Pedro V Theatre on 31 October, featuring local percussionist Andrew Chan and saxophonist Lee Chi Pok, who will take the audience on a journey to the world of music.

In addition to the aforementioned concerts, the “Pipa Masterclass with Zhang Hongyan” will be held on 3 October at 7pm, while the pre-show talk “Mahler Symphony No. 1” will be held on 10 October, at 7pm. Online registration for both activities is available through IC’s Activity Registration System (www.icm.gov.mo/eform/event). Vacancies are limited.

The concert “Family Fun Music Day” to be held on 26 September, from 3:30pm to 6:30pm, at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Municipal Park, features games booths and performances by local music groups, including the Macao Chinese Orchestra, Macao Percussion Association, Water Singers Vocal Ensemble, Casa de Portugal em Macau and Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra Association, presenting popular classics such as Peter and the Wolf and allowing the public to enjoy a pleasant time with their families in a nature environment.

For more information about the programme of the Macao International Music Festival, please visit the thematic website www.icm.gov.mo/fimm, IC’s official WeChat account “IC_Art_Macao” or the “Macao International Music Festival” page on Facebook. 24-hour ticketing hotlines: 2855 5555 (Macao), 2380 5083 (Hong Kong) and 139 269 11111 (Mainland China). Ticketing website: www.macauticket.com.