Programme Overview
From Hong Kong to Sichuan: Listen to the Millennial Echoes of Bashu
In this concert, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra reunites with National Class One Conductor Xiao Chao from Sichuan. As the runner-up of the Orchestra's inaugural International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music in 2011, Xiao wields the baton as the concert explores Bashu's history and folklore, blending traditional folk music with contemporary grand vision. The evening also features Pipa Principal Zhang Ying performing King Chu Doffs His Armor to evoke an epic scene. The finale will be Tang Resonating by Hong Kong crossover prodigy Ng Cheuk-yin, bringing the Tang Dynasty's majesty to life.
Supported by
A programme of The 2026 Excellence in Chengdu Fine Theatre Showcase & The 9th Tianfu Drama Season as well as the World-Renowned Artists and Ensembles Series
Programme
Programme:
Arts Group Introduction
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO)
Founded in 1977, HKCO has won accolades as "a leader in Chinese ethnic music" and "a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong". It is often invited to perform at famous venues and festivals all over the world, having covered Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Arctic Circle to date. It is therefore acclaimed as a leader among full-sized Chinese music ensembles in the international arena today. The Orchestra is set up in four sections: bowed-strings, plucked-strings, wind and percussion. The instruments include both the traditional and the improved, new versions: the bowed-string section has been using the Eco-Huqin series developed by the Orchestra since 2009. The HKCO performs both traditional Chinese music and contemporary, full-length works in a variety of musical formats and contents. It also explores new frontiers in music through commissioning over 2 400 new works of various types and styles, whether as original compositions or arrangements.
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life: Yan Huichang
Yan has been with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) since June 1997. Yan was conferred the title of National Class One Conductor at the First Professional Appraisal of China in 1987. He has received many accolades from the governments of different lands in honour of his contribution to the development of culture, such as the Cultural Medallion (Music) by the National Arts Council of Singapore in 2001, the Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) by the Hong Kong SAR Government, 2022 Distinguished Artist Award by the International Society for the Performing Arts, 17th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards – Award for Outstanding Contribution in Arts by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and Best Conductor Award at the Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music 2018 in Taiwan.
Led by Yan, the HKCO has been setting many milestones in Chinese music for over two decades. He has led the group in promoting commissioned works and spearheading instrumental reform with its 'Eco-Huqin' series. In terms of education, the Orchestra was the first to initiate the Professional Orchestra Internship scheme through collaboration with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the establishment of the world's first Chinese orchestral academy, The HKCO Orchestral Academy. In bringing Chinese music to a wider audience, the Orchestra has organized themed festivals based on instrumental types. These instrumental festivals have achieved several Guinness World Records thanks to the keen participation of the people of Hong Kong. The Orchestra also hosted the first ever 'International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music' in the world which was commended by Zhao Jiping, Chairman of the Chinese Musicians' Association, as "a milestone in the history of development of Chinese music".
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Cast & Key Artistic Personnel
Conductor: Xiao Chao (Sichuan)
Pipa: Zhang Ying
Conductor: Xiao Chao (Sichuan)
Xiao received his first conducting training under conductor Tang Qingshi before he received a Master in Conducting at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under the supervision of Yan Huichang. National Class One Conductor Xiao Chao is a PhD candidate in Conducting at the China Conservatory of Music. He holds two Master's degrees, one in the Conducting specialism of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and another, in Erhu Specialism of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. He is currently the Resident Conductor of the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the ensemble Beauty & Melody of the Sichuan Song and Dance Troupe and the Chengdu Modern Chamber Orchestra, the Music Director of the Chengdu University Choir, and a contracted artist of the Chengdu City Concert Hall. Xiao also works closely on a wide range of projects with numerous professional orchestras and folk ensembles, conservatories, and art institute orchestras. Xiao has conducted an expansive repertoire of works in a variety of genres ranging from Western symphonies to traditional Chinese orchestras, choral music, and opera, and he has also put on numerous genres of concerts both in China and abroad. Many of Xiao's musical compositions and arrangements have also been performed in concert halls around the globe.
Pipa: Zhang Ying
Zhang is currently the Pipa Principal of the HKCO. She joined the orchestra in 2004, served as Acting Principal Pipa in 2013, and has served in current position since 2016. She is a Master's degree programme lecturer at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and is teaching at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The Education University of Hong Kong.
She holds a Master's degree from the China Conservatory of Music and was trained under Prof. Zhao Yinan, Ms Li Guixiang, Prof. Wu Junsheng, Ms Ren Hong and Prof. Yang Jing. In 2002, she received the Silver Award in Youth Section of Pipa at the first Chinese Instrumental Music Competition organised by the Ministry of Culture in China. In 2004, Zhang won First Prize in the Youth Section (Pipa) of 'Longyin Cup' International Ethnic Instrument Competition. In early 2020, Zhang toured Europe with the HKCO, performing as pipa soloist in King Chu Doffs His Armour in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Austria and Hungary, receiving critical acclaim.
Fringe Activity
A Music Journey to Sichuan Lecture
Date and Time: 2026.9.4 (Fri) 14:00
Venue: Sichuan Conservatory of Music
Duration: Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes
Speaker: Chew Hee-chiat, Assistant Artistic Director and Resident Conductor
Language: Putonghua
Admission: Free admission
A Music Journey to Sichuan Pre-performance Talk
Date and Time: 2026.9.4 (Fri) 19:30
Venue: Chengdu City Concert Hall
Duration: Approx. 1 hour
Speakers: Xiao Chao, Conductor and Zhang Ying, Pipa Soloist
Language: Putonghua
Admission: Free admission
