The Singapore International Festival of Music is ready for its October shows

The Singapore International Festival of Music (SIFOM), Singapore’s first classical music festival, returns for its second year. Centered around the theme “Myths and Legends,” the festival showcases classical music inspired by folklore and fairy tales. From October 13th to 30th, the festival offers free public programs, masterclasses, and ticketed events including orchestral performances, musical theater, and vocal concerts.

The 2016 SIFOM lineup features the festival’s own SIFOM Orchestra and Ensemble, Ding Yi Music Company (showcasing Singapore’s finest young musicians), and internationally-renowned guests from the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE), a distinguished chamber orchestra.

Collaborating with the Arts House and OperaViva, SIFOM seeks to establish Singapore as a global classical music destination and attract new audiences. “Singapore has an undeniably international brand. By positioning Singapore as the region’s classical music hub, SIFOM aims to further solidify Singapore’s global standing as a major cultural center,” remarked Grammy-nominated Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang, SIFOM’s Artistic Director.

The festival commences with a symphonic concert featuring the resident SIFOM Orchestra alongside members of the COE, led by Maestro Ang. COE will also present a performance based on French composer Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of tales from Mother Goose, including Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, The Princess of the Pagodas, Beauty and the Beast, and The Fairy Garden.

Two rising opera stars from the Musical Olympus Foundation will take the stage on October 13th and 15th, performing a selection of their favorite pieces. Chinese bass-baritone Li Ao, winner of Placido Domingo’s Operalia competition, will portray the devil Mephistopheles in a renowned aria from Gounod’s opera Faust, where he advises a woman to remain chaste until marriage. Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, from Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, will perform Cinderella’s concluding aria from Rossini’s opera based on the fairytale, in which the now-married Cinderella seeks forgiveness for her mistreatment by her wicked stepfamily.

Aleksey Semenenko, an exceptional violinist who recently earned the silver medal at the Queen Elisabeth Competition, promises an electrifying performance featuring music from Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy. His evening concert on October 13th will commence with a pre-concert recital showcasing music inspired by legends, followed by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic adaptation of the adventures of Sindbad the Sailor and the 1001 Arabian Nights.

Inspired by a traditional Malay poem called Syair Bidasari, the story of Ikan Girl highlights the victory of good over evil. The performance blends elements of Malay dance, Indian bharatanatyam, and contemporary dance styles with original music composed by Syafiqah Adha Sallehin, Artist-in-Residence at SIFOM 2016. Renowned percussionist Ramu Thiruyanam will make a special appearance during the live performance by classical and traditional musicians.

Singaporean Chinese chamber music ensemble Ding Yi Music Company and Song Hong Chamber Music of Vietnam will present 五 + 5 = ? On October 13th, the Hamburg baroque orchestra Elbipolis will lead an experimental concert series, featuring the music of Tim Exile and Brezel Göring, fusing elements of a traditional concert with a club atmosphere.

On October 19th, enjoy a performance entitled “New Music in a Mythic Landscape,” showcasing original compositions by SIFOM Young Composers, inspired by the scenery and landmarks of Singapore.

“Classical music shouldn’t be confined to concert halls. By bringing it to local communities, we hope to make classical music accessible to everyone and cultivate a new generation of enthusiasts,” said Ang.

As part of its Outreach Programs, SIFOM musicians will perform excerpts from the main programs, such as Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, in a variety of community spaces including parks, malls, libraries, schools, and heartland areas.

Additionally, SIFOM will collaborate with Sentire Singapore on a program for children with special needs. Designed to encourage self-expression and artistic development, the program will culminate in a live performance by some of the students at The Arts House on October 19th.

Interested?

SIFOM runs from October 13th to 30th.

DATE

TIME/VENUE

CONCERT/ REPERTOIRE

TICKET PRICES (S$)

REMARKS

OPENING OF FESTIVAL

13 October

6.30pm / Victoria Concert Hall

8pm / Victoria Concert Hall

**Myths & Legends: Mother Goose and the Tales of 1,001 Nights **

Alexei Semenenko, violin

**Kerim Vergazov, piano **

Grieg: Sonata no. 1

Ysaye: Ballade no. 3

Paganini: I Palpiti

Members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe & The Singapore International Festival of Music Orchestra / Darrell Ang

Ravel: Mother Goose Suite

Rossini: Nacqui all´affanno e al pianto… (from La Cenerentola) (Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, soprano)

Gounod: Vous qui faites l’endormie (from Faust) (Li Ao, bass-baritone)

Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy (Alexey Semeneko, violin)

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

$72, $52, $32 excluding SISTIC charges

Concert Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

14 October

6.30pm / Victoria Concert Hall

8pm / Victoria Concert Hall

The Seasons

Nancy Yuen, soprano & SIFOM Orchestra / Alvin Arumugam

Overture and Senta’s Ballad from Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer

1B1

… featuring Basil Ong Tze Wee, Kaelyn Yunci Soh, Yuri Tanaka, Mathea Goh on violins

Grieg: Holberg Suite / Vivaldi: The Four Seasons / Piazzolla: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

  • Grieg: Präludium from Holberg Suite

  • Vivaldi: Spring from The Four Seasons

  • Piazzolla: Verano Porteño

  • Grieg: Gavotte from Holberg Suite

  • Vivaldi: Summer from The Four Seasons

  • Piazzolla: Otoño Porteño

  • Grieg: Sarabande from Holberg Suite

  • Vivaldi: Autumn from The Four Seasons

  • Piazzolla: Invierno Porteño

  • Grieg: Air from Holberg Suite

  • Vivaldi: Winter from The Four Seasons

  • Piazzolla: Primavera Porteña

  • Grieg: Rigaudon from Holberg Suite

$72, $52, $32 excluding SISTIC charges

Concert Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

11pm / Barbershop by Timbre (Arts House)

Barock Lounge Outer Space

by Elbipolis Barockorchester Hamburg, presented by Goethe-Institut Singapore

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

15 October

7.30pm /

The Arts House Chamber

MUSICAL OLYMPUS FOUNDATION presents TODAY’S STARS, TOMORROW’S LEGENDS

Vocal Recital by Li Ao (bass-baritone) and Vasilisa Berzhanskaya (soprano)

Pianist: Beatrice Lin

Songs and Arias by Rossini, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Bellini, Massenet, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Handel, Schubert, Moore, Gounod

Mozart: Aria of Dorabella from Cosi fan tutte / Ah scostati/Smanie implacabili.

Mozart: Aria of Ramiro from La Finta Giardiniera / Va pure ad altri.

Mozart: Aria of Cerubino from Le nozze di Figaro / Voi Che sapete.

Gounod: Aria of Stephano from Romeo and Juliet / Depuis hier/ Que fais tu

Massenet: Aria of Charlotte from Werter / Werter, Werter.

Bellini: Aria and cabaletta of Romeo from I Capuleti e i Montecchi / Ascolta. Se Romeo/ La tremenda

Rossini: Aria of Rosina from Il barbiere di Siviglia/ Una voce poco fa.

Rossini: Aria of Cenerentola from Cenerentola / Nacqui all’affanno.

Mozart: Duo of Guglielmo and Dorabella from _Cosi fan tutte / il core vi dono _

Mozart: Duo of Zerlina and Don Giovanni from Don Giovanni / La ci darem la mano

A. Scarlatti: Le violette

Pergolesi: Nina

Pyotr Tchaikovsky. _Reconciliation, Op. 25, No. 1 _

Georges Bizet: Quand la flamme de l’amour from La jolie fille de Perth

Gounod: Vous qui faites l’endormie from Faust

Schubert: Der Erlkonig

Schubert: Die Forelle

Sergei Rachmaninov - _Aleko’s cavatina All the gypsy camp is asleep _from Aleko

Two Chinese songs: Rainbow sister and Legend of the dragon

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

Sunday

16 October

3pm /

The Arts House Gallery II

THE SUNKEN CATHEDRAL AND OTHER STORIES…

Piano Recital by Kseniia Vokhmianina

Claude-Achille Debussy (1862 - 1918)

Préludes, Book 1

  1. Danseuses de Delphes : Lent et grave

  2. Voiles : Modéré

  3. Le vent dans la plaine : Animé

  4. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir: Modéré

  5. Les collines d’Anacapri : Très modérée

  6. Des pas sur la neige : Triste et lent

  7. Ce qu’a vu le vent d’ouest : Animé et tumultueux

  8. La fille aux cheveux de lin: Très calme et doucement expressif

  9. La sérénade interrompue : Modérément animé

  10. La cathédrale engloutie : Profondément calme

  11. La danse de Puck : Capricieux et léger

  12. Minstrels : Modéré

Kelly Tang (b.1961)

Elegy (Solo Piano Edition 2015)

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915)

Piano Sonata no.5, Op. 53

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

5pm /

Victoria Concert Hall

+ 5 = ?

Ding Yi Music Company in collaboration with Song Hong Chamber Music (Vietnam)

Song Hong Chamber Music: Pham Truong Son (Violin), Pham Mai Anh (Violin), Khuc Van Khoa (Viola), Dao Tuyet Trinh (Cello), Pham Quynh Trang (Piano)

Ding Yi Music Company: Chin Yen Chong (Erhu), Chua Yew Kok (Pipa), Kenny Chan (Zhongruan), Toh Kai Siang Eugene (Percussion), Yvonne Tay (Guzheng)

鼎艺团Ding Yi Music Company****Chinese Quintet

Commissioned Works: Composed by Phang Kok Jun

二胡与红河弦乐五重奏 Erhu with Song Hong Chamber Music 华彦钧 曲、冯国峻 改编

二泉映月 (Reflection of the Moon on Er Quan Spring; composed by Hua Yan Jun and rearranged by Phang Kok Jun)

琵琶与大提琴二重奏 Pipa with Cello Duet

_野风舞 (_Native Dance; composed by Bright Sheng)

中提琴与打击乐二重奏 Viola and Percussion Duet

Scene__Parts II and III ; composed by John Patitucci

阮、古筝与双小提琴四重奏

Ruan, Guzheng and two Violins Quartet;

arranged by Phang Kok Jun

**Interval/**休息 (15min)

Trong Com scherzo (7’): composed by Dang Hong Anh

Commissioned Works: Composed by

Darrell Ang, Liong Kit Yeng, Wang A-Mao

$72, $52, $32 excluding SISTIC charges

Concert Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

7pm / The Arts House Chamber

And there was N0th1ng

Tze & TO Ensemble

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

18 October

7.30pm / The Arts House Gallery II

THIEF IN THE NIGHT AND OTHER BIZARRE TALES…

Piano Recital by Thomas Ang

Ravel - Gaspard de la nuit

Chopin - 3rd Ballade in A flat major, op. 47

Chopin - Étude in E major, op. 10 no. 3

Chopin - É_tude in C sharp minor, op. 10 no. 4_

Chopin - Étude in G flat “Black Keys”, op. 10 no. 5

Chopin/Hamelin - Étude X “pour les idées noires” after Chopin’s Black Keys

Chopin/Godowsky - Étude no. 10 “Capriccio” in A major after Chopin’s Black Keys

Bach - Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor from Book 2

Feinberg/Ang - The Dream

Feinberg - 2nd Sonata, op. 2

Tchaikovsky - Daydream and Lark-song from Children’s Album, op. 39

Tchaikovsky/Rachmaninoff - Lullaby, op. 16 no. 1

Tchaikovsky/Ang - When the day dawns

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

19 October

7.30pm /

The Arts House Chamber

NEW MUSIC IN A MYTHIC LANDSCAPE

SIFOM Ensemble / Marlon Chen

Ho Chee Kong: Echoes of Fall

John Sharpley: Singapore Dreams

Chen Zhangyi: Sandcastles

Tan Yu Ting: Chinatown

Bertram Wee: love songs

Koh Cheng Jin: Ecstasy

Ding Jian Han: Slow Jogging on a Not-so-silent Night

Mick Lim: (Commissioned Work)

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

20 October

7.30pm /

The Arts House Gallery II

VICTORIA’S GREATEST HITS

Vocal Recital by Victoria Songwei Li

Piano: Thomas Ang

Caro nome - Verdi (Rigoletto)

Gretchen am Spinnrade - Schubert

Be kind and Courteous - Britten (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

Love went a-riding - F. Bridge

Chiedi all’aura lusinghiera - Donizetti (L’elisir d’amore)

Prendi per me se libero… - Donizetti (L’elisir d’amore)

Ange adorable - Gounod (Romeo et Juliette)

No word from Tom - Stravinsky (The Rake’s Progress)

Zdes’ horosho - Rachmaninov

Ne poy, krasavitsa, primne - Rachmaninov

Je veux vivre - Gounod (Romeo et Juliette)

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

21 October

7.30pm /

The Arts House Chamber

PORTRAIT OF A COMPOSER & IKAN GIRL

SIFOM Ensemble / Marlon Chen

Portrait of a Composer: Syafiqah ‘Adha Sallehin

- interval -

Ikan Girl: Syafiqah ‘Adha Sallehin featuring Bhumi Collective

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

23 October

7.30pm /

The Arts House Chamber

PORTRAIT OF A VIRTUOSO & IKAN GIRL

Syafiqah ‘Adha Sallehin & Nabillah Jalal

Accordion & Piano Recital

- interval -

Ikan Girl: Syafiqah ‘Adha Sallehin featuring Bhumi Collective

$36 excluding SISTIC charges

Chamber Series

Discounts & promotions applicable.

For ticketed events after October 23rd, please browse here. Explore community events, scheduled from October 24th to 27th at various educational institutions, here.

For fringe events taking place from October 13th to 16th at the Arts House, National Gallery, and Victoria Concert Hall, please browse here.

Programmes and information are accurate as of August 15th, 2016, and are subject to change.

Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0