Ticket Price: HK$1,000; 480; 380; 280;180
Aliena Wong Fiona Lee Eunmi Lee Samantha Chong Colette Lam
PROGRAMME:
Offenbach: Opheus in the underworld
Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals
Haydn: “Farewell” Symphony Finale
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Rage over a lost penny
Rossini: The rice aria Cat duet
波斯貓
(The programme may be subject to change
without prior notice)
Music Director / Conductor
Gustav Ka Lok MAK 麥家樂
GLOBAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
寰宇交響樂團
GLOBAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Founded in 2013 by visionary Maestro Gustav Ka Lok Mak, the Global Symphony Orchestra (GSO) is an elite, award-winning powerhouse defining Hong Kong’s modern classical renaissance. Comprising exclusively brilliant, home-grown academy graduates, this professional ensemble is celebrated for breaking rigid traditions. GSO masterfully bridges East and West, infusing monumental European masterworks with traditional Chinese culture and electric pop energy. As the historic recipient of the prestigious 2018 Austrian Musical Theatre Award, GSO serves as Hong Kong’s premier cultural ambassador, captivating global audiences on legendary stages from the Golden Hall of Vienna to high-profile international festivals.
Maestro Gustav Ka Lok Mak
(Music Director & Conductor)
Maestro Gustav Ka Lok Mak is the distinguished Music Director, Conductor, and Composer of the Global Symphony Orchestra. Celebrated internationally for his deep musical intellect and authoritative podium presence, his visionary artistic leadership has earned prestigious global accolades. These honors include the Cultural Award from Russia (2000), the Austrian Music Theatre Prize (2018), the Decoration of Honour in Gold from Austria (2022), and the Distinguished Citizen Award from Shunde, China.
-
“Culture Award”, Russia (2000)
-
"Austrian Music Theatre Prize" (2018)
-
"Decoration of Honour in Gold" Austria (2022)
-
"Outstanding Citizen, Shunde, China (2025)
Eunmi Lee – Violinist
Violinist Eunmi Lee, born in Seoul, South Korea, received her Bachelor’s Degree from Seoul National University, and later obtained her Master’s Degree and Künstlerische Ausbildung from the Hochschule für Musik Dresden in Germany. She has been recognized with numerous prizes at international competitions, including:
-
1st Prize and 3rd Prize at the International Violin Competition “Marie Cantagrill” (2015)
-
2nd Prize at the 31st International Violin Competition “Michelangelo Abbado” (2014)
-
1st Prize at the 2nd International Violin Competition “Camillo Sivori” (2014)
-
Special Prize for Best Bach Interpretation at the 2nd International Violin Competition “Vasco Abadjiev” (2013)
-
1st Prize at the International Music Competition “Caffa Richetti” (2012)
-
1st Prize at the International Music Competition “Gianluca Campochiaro” (2012)
Aliena Wong (Pianist):
Aliena Wong completed her performance training in England and at Russia's historic Saint Petersburg State Conservatory. Since 2013, she has served dual roles as the organizational Chairman and Resident Pianist of the Global Symphony Orchestra. Since GSO establishment, Aliena Wong has performed major piano repertoires with GSO.
Fiona Lee (Pianist):
Fiona Lee was born in Hong Kong. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom. She is structurally devoted to inspiring children. She received a distinction in a post-graduate course in music and child’s diversified development.
Samantha Chong (Mezzo-Soprano):
Mezzo-soprano Samantha Chong is the winner of the inaugural ASEAN Vocal competition and the 1st prize winner of the 41st National Singing Competition of Malaysia in 2015. Post-graduation, she jump-started her career as a soloist with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Hong Kong, Musica Viva, and the Global Symphony Orchestra. Samantha made her Italian debut in 2019 with Teatro Petruzzelli, singing Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Recently, she performed at the opening concert of Edinburgh International Festival, singing Tan Dun’s Buddha’s Passion.
Samantha’s recent performances include Yu in Women Like Us, Doralba in L’impresario in angustie (Asia premiere), Sect-mother in Kungfood (world premiere).
Colette Lam (Soprano):
Colette Lam, affectionately known to Hong Kong mainstream media audiences and sports fans as "Ah Lek" (阿叻). She is widely recognized both as a professional, highly analytical horse racing television presenter and as an accomplished classical soprano singer. Her previous vocal collaborations with the GSO have routinely earned splendid applause from the audience.
PROGRAMME
Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld Overture.
A high-energy classic bursting with theatrical flair. While it begins with beautiful, dramatic melodies, it famously accelerates into the unforgettable, high-kicking "Can-Can"—the ultimate musical expression of wild celebration and comic chaos.
Saint-Saëns: The Carnival of the Animals
A brilliant, humorous musical menagerie where instruments mimic nature. From the heavy thuds of elephants to the rapid-fire scales of wild donkeys and the majestic braying of fossils, this playful masterpiece is a witty caricature of the animal kingdom.
Haydn: “Farewell” Symphony (Finale)
The original piece of musical comedy in history. Written as a polite protest to a prince, musicians systematically blow out their candles and pack up their instruments, walking off stage mid-performance until only two lone violins are left playing.
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
One of the most beloved, breathtaking violin masterworks ever written. It sweeps audiences away instantly with its passionate, soaring opening melody, followed by an exhilarating, lightning-fast finale that showcases absolute virtuosic brilliance.
Beethoven: Rage Over a Lost Penny
A delightfully frantic and chaotic piano rondo showing Beethoven's playful side. The music mimics the escalating, comical panic of a man turning his house completely upside down in a desperate, furious search for a misplaced coin.
Rossini: The Rice Aria ("Di tanti palpiti")
A legendary operatic showstopper with a delicious history. Legend says Rossini composed this incredibly catchy, joyful aria in just twenty minutes while waiting for his rice to boil at a local Venice restaurant.
Rossini: The Cat Duet (Duetto buffo di due gatti)
A hilarious crowd favorite where two opera stars drop all formal lyrics and perform an entire, dramatic operatic argument using nothing but the word "Meow." It is a vocal tour de force wrapped in pure comedic genius.