ENG-2003 — Page 479

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

Cultural Presentations

LCSD Cultural Presentations

During the year, the LCSD presented 1 795 performances, covering a rich variety of performing arts programmes featuring local and visiting artists. These attracted a total audience of 660 113 people.

Musical highlights by visiting artists included the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with Yuri Temirkanov, English Chamber Orchestra with Sarah Chang and a commissioned production of Verdi's opera Macbeth. Thematic programmes presented included the Encore Series, the Music Rendezvous City Hall Concert Hall Series, the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre Recital Series, the Guqin Music Series, the Chinese Ethnic Music and Dance Series and the Jazz Up Series.

Highlights of contemporary dance programmes included the distinguished Ultima Vez from Belgium, Taipei's Crossover Dance Company and Hong Kong's City Contemporary Dance Company. There was also a series of dance performances from the Mainland including the Guangzhou Ballet, Song and Dance Ensemble of the People's Liberation Army, and Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe, all of which were well received.

On the multi-arts front, the projects included independent concerts and music theatre productions by local artists, and mime and puppetry performances by Switzerland's Mummenschanz, Guangxi Puppet Art Troupe of China and Canada's Theatre de L'oeil. Highlighting the year were the pantomime performances by France's legendary Marcel Marceau. Collaboration with local theatre groups continued; many of the works presented or sponsored were new creations.

The promotion of the appreciation of Chinese opera has always been a key objective. A Cantonese Opera Working Group formed under the Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Cooperation Conference has enhanced cultural cooperation in the region in promoting Cantonese opera. The first Cantonese Opera Day was organised on the last Sunday in November. Throughout the year, the LCSD presented newly commissioned Cantonese opera works as well as Chinese opera highlights from other regions, including the Heroic Heroines of Peking Opera series performed by artists. from Shanghai, Shenyang and Guiyang City.

The department continues to cooperate with other bodies, and has sponsored or jointly organised cultural activities with consulates general and cultural institutions to promote cultural exchange. With a view to promoting contemporary music, the department sponsored the Chinese Composers' Festival, a joint venture with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong Composers' Guild and the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong. It also collaborated with the Hong Kong Harmonica Association in organising the 1st Hong Kong Harmonica Festival.

Entertainment Programmes

During the year, a total of 656 carnivals and entertainment programmes were organised by the LCSD in parks, playgrounds, community halls as well as in the department's cultural venues. These covered a variety of performing arts presentations and attracted more than one million people.

Outdoor entertainment extravaganzas included the Spring Lantern Festival, Summer Fun Gala, Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival, Christmas Fun Gala and New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival. Celebrating the Spring Lantern and Mid-Autumn

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