Informality marks classical night under stars

On Friday, Hong Kong enriched its status as one of the world's great cultural capitals by offering a truly memorable event: an evening of stellar classical melodies performed under a star-studded sky for the benefit of thousands of picnicking music lovers.

In the tradition of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's performance in Central Park, the Berlin Philharmonic's in the Waldb?hne and Sydney Symphony's in the Domain, Hong Kong's Happy Valley racecourse recreation ground played host to the city's philharmonic orchestra performing an exquisite repertoire of classical masterpieces.

Headlined by conductor Perry So and violinist Huang Mengla, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) continued its performances, now in its third year, of offering a different type of performance, called Swire Symphony under the Stars, at the recreation ground's lush expanse nestled in Causeway Bay for a turnout of more than 20,000 music lovers.

'In its third year the Swire Symphony Under the Stars has fast established itself as an extremely popular event on our city's cultural calendar and certainly a highlight of the HKPO's season roster,' said Y.S. Liu, the HKPO's chairman of the board of governors.

'The Symphony under the Stars concert series has become a much-loved fixture in Hong Kong's arts calendar,' added Christopher Pratt, chairman of Swire Pacific, the HKPO's primary patron.

'By taking one of Asia's leading orchestras outside the concert hall to perform amid the relaxed family atmosphere of a giant open-air picnic, we hope to break down the barriers, both real and perceived, that have tended to reserve classical music for an elite few,' Pratt said.