On March 11th, 2011, the Tohuku Earthquake (magnitude 9.0) struck the northern part of Japan. The massive earthquake caused a tsunami which devastated much of the northern Pacific coast of Japan. The disaster caused significant loss of life that has not been fully measured. By April 2nd, tens of thousands of people lost their homes and remain in shelters, and the latest count left 11,800 dead and 15,540 missing.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Asako Watanabe, a Japanese-born Soprano singer, who came to seek shelter in Hong Kong, decided to organise « Sing for Japan »; a Charity Concert to raise funds for the country, with the support of a group of empathic Hong Kong residents.
The Concert will feature Asako Watanabe, Makiko Ogura, Katsuhiko Nakashima, three outstanding Japanese singers and a brilliant pianist Keisuke Tsushima, with the support of Maestro Lu Xiao Yi, from the Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra.
100% of profits raised will go to the organisations such as Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS), Ashinaga, and Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) for helping victims of the earthquake.
100% of profits raised will go to the organisations such as Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS), Ashinaga, and Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) for helping victims of the earthquake.
This is not to be missed!
Please spread the word and come and support Japan while listening to a unique and memorable concert.
« Sing for Japan », Charity Concert will take place in three different venues as follows:
- Friday 15 April 2011 – 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm - 1/F Hall, South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre 1/F, Marina Square, East Commercial Block, South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong – accompanied by the Hong Kong Southern District Youth Orchestra and Maestro Lu XiaoYi.
- Friday 15 April 2011 at 8:30 pm, French International School (FIS) - 34 Price Road, Jardine's Lookout at the Auditorium.
- Saturday 16 April 2011 at 7:30 pm, St Anne's Catholic Church in Stanley, 1 Tung Tau Wan Road – Intimate Recital
*Entrance Fees : based on your own gratitude and generosity. Cash preferred but cheques are also accepted.
*Tickets can preferably be pre booked via this e mail address : singforjapan2011booking@gmail.com
Please mention the concert of your choice, your name and the number of tickets required. We will send you a confirmation mail.
*Donation boxes will be displayed in each venue, and also at the Hong Kong South District residences and South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre for several weeks.
*Tickets can preferably be pre booked via this e mail address : singforjapan2011booking@gmail.com
Please mention the concert of your choice, your name and the number of tickets required. We will send you a confirmation mail.
*Donation boxes will be displayed in each venue, and also at the Hong Kong South District residences and South Horizons Neighbourhood Community Centre for several weeks.
Program:
The artist will perform a unique program aimed to suit all tastes comprised of traditional japanese songs, opera arias and popular music such as :
- Sakura, Kousaku Yamada
- Habanera - Carmen, G.Bizet
- La fleur que tu m'avais jetée – Carmen, G.Bizet
- Time to Say Goodbye, F.Sartori
- Fantaisie Impromptu, F.Chopin etc…
Introduction of the Artists:
- Conductor : Lu XiaoYi
Conductor of Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra /
Conductor of Nanjing University Orchestra /
Conductor of Hongkong Southern District Orchestra
The Orchestra he conducted before:
Leipzig Academic Orchestra (Germany)/
Jena Philharmonic Orchestra (Germany)/
National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands (Holland)/
Bohemian Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech)
Mr Lu studied compose and conduct in Nanjing Art Institute. After his graduation, he became the permanent conductor of Nanjing University Orchestra. In 2004, he gave concerts with Nanjing University Orchestra in United Kindom, France, Austria, Germany and Belgium.He was praised as "the angel conductor from the orient" by Stuttgart Daily and other European press. In 2005, he gave three concerts in Taiwan. He studied in Weima -Liszt Conservatory in 2007. He won the first prize in Sint-Oedenrode Music Festival in Holland. The same year, he was invited by German government and gave three concerts in world famous Gewandhaus Concert Hall with Nanjing University Orchestra and Leipzig Academic Orchestra. In 2008, he cooperated with Bohemian Philharmonic Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands. He built a cultural bridge between Europe and China by giving great performance with these excellent orchestras. After that, Mr Lu entered the masterclass of professor Able in world famous Munich Conservatory. In 2009, He conducted Nanjing University Orchestra in the National competition. They won the first prize in the competition. He established Nanjing Philharmonic Orchestra at the end of the year. He was also invited by Hongkong government to be the permanent conductor of Hongkong Southern District Orchestra in the same year. In 2010, he took Nanjing University Orchestra to Macao to give celebration concerts for ten year's anniversary of Macao returning back to China in University of Macao.
- The Hong King Southern District Orchestra
- Pianist: Tsushima Keisuke
Keisuke Tshusima was born in 1986. He graduated from the Tokyo University of Arts with a Masters degree. He won the bronze prize at the Chopin International Piano Contest. He has played with a number of orchestras including the Japan Yomiuri Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Soprano Singer : Asako Watanabe
- Mezzo Soprano Singer : Makiko Ogura
- Tenor Singer : Katsuhiko Nakashima
Sponsors:
Touched by the tragedy in Japan and the enthusiasm of the talented musicians, a number of sponsors decided to support the project. The main sponsors include: Estée Lauder Companies, King Fisher, and Wine Hot.
For general and press enquiries :
