ENG-2005 — Page 455

Recreation, Sport and the Arts | 397

local community, from core symphonic classics to Canto-pop. Highlights in 2005 included opera-in-concert performances of Richard Strauss's Salome and Elektra with a stellar cast of singers, the John Adams project, which culminated in a joint concert with students of the Academy for Performing Arts, and Mahler's Fifth Symphony, as part of the complete Mahler cycle, under the baton of Edo de Waart. Music education and outreach play an important role in the orchestra's mission. The annual education programme introduced classical music to over 70 000 students. The orchestra also gave a first-ever week-long free lunchtime concert series for the public at the AIG Tower.

Hong Kong Repertory Theatre

Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, founded in 1977 and incorporated as a non- profit-making arts organisation in 2001, is the first professional drama theatre in Hong Kong. Its extensive repertoire is performed mostly in Cantonese, with Putonghua used for selected productions. Other than original works, the company also performs adaptations of foreign plays and modern theatre classics. During the year, the company staged 10 productions of different genres in 145 performances, including 12 student performances. In October, the company staged six performances of Love in a Fallen City in Shanghai. Apart from its major productions, the company. toured 146 schools, organised four summer drama camps and presented over 40 sessions of theatre workshops and talks for youths and the community.

Hong Kong Sinfonietta

The Hong Kong Sinfonietta was founded in 1990 and turned professional in 2000. It is an orchestra of predominantly local musicians with a mission to keep orchestral music alive. Led by Music Director Yip Wing-sie, the orchestra, commissions new works, collaborates with other art forms, designs interactive educational concerts and gives regular concerts. In 2005, the orchestra gave over 60 performances, both in Hong Kong and abroad. In the summer, it performed at three festivals in France and Lithuania, and became the first orchestra from China to present a concert at the Warsaw Philharmonic Hall. Guest artists this year ranged from internationally-renowned violinists Shlomo Mintz and Renaud Capuçon to local choreographer Yuri Ng, comedian Jim Chim and movie star Karena Lam.

Theatre Ensemble

Established in 1993 under the artistic direction of the co-founders and associate artistic directors Jim Chim and Olivia Yan, Theatre Ensemble endeavours to create physical theatre works that are creative and humorous.

In 2004, Theatre Ensemble and Hong Kong Arts Centre launched the first pioneering residence programme, PIP Let's Play, which represents a long-term partnership heralding a synthesis of venue, arts education, cultural activities and talents development. The company, which has its own rehearsal space and performing venue, also contributes to arts education through various art courses including professional performing arts, living art and children art organised by its PIP School.