Harmony in Gold: The HK Phil 50th Anniversary Gala

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[24 June 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) held its 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Regent Hong Kong on 18 June 2024 (Tuesday), with Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration, as the Guest of Honour.

The fundraising gala was chaired by Ms Winnie Chiu, who is also a former member of the HK Phil’s Board of Governors.  The event was attended by over 400 distinguished guests in the City.

This year, the HK Phil proudly celebrates the Golden Jubilee. As a home-grown and internationally acclaimed orchestra, the HK Phil has taken on the role of cultural ambassador for Hong Kong on the global stage. Whilst embarking on world tours to showcase the orchestra’s artistic excellence, the HK Phil also continuously presents a diverse range of performances, bringing international artists to Hong Kong to enrich our city’s cultural vibrancy. In addition, the HK Phil’s extensive and varied education and outreach programmes bring classical music to an extensive range of audience for the benefit of our community.  

Over the past half century, the HK Phil has grown from a small amateur ensemble to one of the leading orchestras of the world. This journey was possible only through the steadfast support and partnership of all the artists, musicians, patrons and audiences, which has supported the HK Phil’s work and vision for the past half-century, enabling the orchestra to bring the best of international classical music to our city, and to advance Hong Kong’s reputation on the world stage.

The dinner received tremendous support from all sectors and was attended by many distinguished guests in the city. The esteemed guests from government sector included Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR Mr Cui Jianchun, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Mr Joe Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary Mr. Michael Wong, and Commissioner for Tourism Ms Vivian Sum. Distinguished guests who joined the celebrations (in alphabetical order of family name) included Ms Agnes Chan, Ms Karen Chan, Mr Dane Cheng, Ms Michelle Cheng, Tan Sri Dato David Chiu, Mrs Janice Choi, Mr Glenn Fok, Mr and Mrs Kenneth Fok, Dr Victor Fung, Prof David Gwilt, Mr Klaus Heymann, Dr Sabrina Ho, Dr Albert Hung, Ms Sophia Kao, Dr Philip Kwok and Mrs Maxine Kwok, Mr Paul Lam, Ms Colleen Lee, Ms Starry Lee, Dr Edward Leong, Dr Lilian Leong, HK Phil First Associate Concertmaster Mr. Leung Kin Fung, Mr and Mrs YS Liu, Prof Lo Chung Mau, Prof and Mrs Kingman Lo, Mr Lo Man Tuen, Ms Paddy Lui, Mr Anthony Lun, Mr Kim Robinson, Mr Jack So, Mr Philip Sohmen, Ms Winnie Tam, Mr Oscar Tao, HK Phil Concertmaster Mr. Jing Wang, Mrs Cissy Pao-Watari, Mr Shinichiro Watari, Mr Perry Yiu, Ms Winnie Yu, and Mr Rimsky Yuen, and more.

It was an eventful evening commencing with an exhibition which showcased some important milestones of the orchestra, with some posters and house programmes along the ascending way of years. Then, a pre-dinner performance by HK Phil’s Principal Horn Lin Jiang, trumpetist Robert Smith, trombonist Kevin Thompson, and surprised the guests with joy. The banquet started with a welcome address by the HK Phil’s Chairman Mr David Cogman, Chief Executive of HKSAR Mr John Lee’s video message, and the speech by Ms Winnie Chiu, the Chair of Gala Dinner. During the dinner, guest soprano Jennifer performed Senta’s Ballad from Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman with her velvet and charismatic voice.  Then, HK Phil Music Director Maestro Jaap van Zweden took a moment to share about his wonderful 12-year with the orchestra and gave a vote of thanks to everyone who contributed to the orchestra’s success. After that, there was heated live auction in which the guests were thrilled to participate in bidding.  Then, more music was brought to the guests by HK Phil’s Concertmaster Jing Wang, Principal Viola Andrew Ling, Principal Cello Richard Bamping and guest pianist Colleen Lee who performed Brahms’ Piano Quartet no. 1 in G minor, op. 25: IV. Rondo alla Zingarese: Presto. Lastly, silent auction result was then announced to give a perfect ending of the memorable night.

The HK Phil would like to give its heartfelt thanks to the following members:

Gala Dinner Chair: Ms Winnie Chiu

Gala Dinner Advisors: Ms Bonny Wong, Ms Angela Yau

HK Phil Fundraising Committee Members: Mr Brian Brown, Mr Peter Brien, Ms Cherry Cheung, Mr Edmond Huang, Mrs Christine Ip, Ms Elizabeth Lo, Mr Simon Loong, Ms Sarah Wong

Venue Partner: Regent Hong Kong

PR Partner: Occasions Asia Pacific