Macau Chinese Orchestra completes tour in Portugal

The Macau Chinese Orchestra completed its 9-day tour of Portugal on July 23. Under the baton of its artistic director, Pang Ka Pang, the ensemble performed in Lisbon, Coimbra, Setúbal and Torres Vedras for a total of four concerts.
Besides preparing three different musical programs, the orchestra aimed to present a repertoire that reflects the musical culture of Macau and China. In addition to this, they also played pieces that fused influences from the Portuguese and Chinese cultures.
The first concert was held at the São Carlos National Theatre in Lisbon (pictured), in collaboration with singer Maria Ana Bobone. Over 1,500 people attended the concert, according to a Macau Chinese Orchestra press release.
The fourth concert took place in the Quinta das Lágrimas Palace Hotel, located in Coimbra. The concert was part of the local Arts Festival program. Conductor and artistic director Pang Ka Pang, alongside other members of the orchestra, held a workshop focusing on Chinese musical instruments.
The Macau Chinese Orchestra also shared the stage with Portuguese musician and composer Rão Kyao.
“Musicians invited for the Macau Chinese Orchestra tour in Portugal are young musicians educated in Macau, whose qualities and capacities are recognized by the orchestra, which shows that training local talent bears fruit,” the Cultural Affairs Bureau announced.