Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra 30 Nov/1 Dec 2013

[Richard]

There are more details about the auditions and rehearsals for the concert on 29 November here:

www.elementshk.com/eng/elements/hot_news/detail?id=57

Richard

[jimg]

More publicity for the Hong Kong concerts.

Hayley ‧ Weiss Tel (Hayley Westenra) in Hong Kong held its first public concert



.


art Cultural Art Music

Music Concert

Date and Time:
Sat, 11/30/2013 - 00:00 - Sun, 12/01/2013 - 00:00
Internationally renowned singer-songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador Hayley ‧ Wisconsin Tel (Hayley Westenra) will be held on November 30 and December 1 at the Hong Kong City Hall held its first solo concert in Hong Kong . Hayley was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, now living in London, singing career success. Hayley first internationally distributed album "Pure" in 2003 will be to hot gesture boarded the British classical music top of the table, this record global sales of more than the current two million, has become a global issue in the history of the singer the fastest-selling debut album in the album.

Musical prodigy
Hayley ‧ Wisconsin Tela music on the road from the age of six, she began singing in the school's first singing performance in the blockbuster, but was identified as having "absolute pitch." Hayley quickly singing contract signed with Universal Records, and after a switch to one of the world's leading classical music labels - Decca (Decca) album. Hayley soon became famous classical bel canto singers Malvinas ‧ Major students, under the guidance of the Malvinas learning vocal and singing skills. ‧ Malvinas Hayley Major even described the sound as "fresh and contagious, as the angelic beauty of sound." Hayley also been named the world JCI Ten Outstanding figures.

New members of the British royal family singing
performances Hayley highly experienced, in addition to participating in various parts of the concert, theater and film's theme song, she is also a lot of heads of state and royals sing. Recently her latest album "Hushabye", it is especially dedicated to the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife was born in Cambridge, Prince George. Including a song called Sleep On, the Duke of Cambridge by his wife's wedding make music arrangements Paul ‧ minoxidil (Paul Mealor) is the author. New album "Hushabye" soft music in favor of elegant touches and washing children and parents mind.

Philanthropist. Hayley
Hayley's musical style is very diverse, ranging from classical music to the right interpretation of the folk and pop songs with different musical styles are handy. In addition, there are language Hayley talent, she has sung more than 12 kinds of songs in different languages, including English, French, Japanese, Mandarin, and even New Zealand Maori, through different languages ​​into the audience hearts. In addition to singing career record is impressive, but Hayley is more enthusiastic in public welfare and charity affairs. Since the age of 16 she became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and for the world to sing various charities, such as Africa, "Bikes for Ghana", Britain's "Music for Therapy," and Hong Kong "Hong Kong Save the Children . " Hayley was also chosen as the Global Kiwis Young Achiever Award in recognition of her enthusiasm for the public welfare.

Hayley ‧ Wisconsin Tela City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong's first joint concert main tracks:
l Prayer
l Scarborough Fair
l My Heart Belongs To You
Dream A Little Dream l
l Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Amazing Grace l
l You Raise Me Up
 The Moon Represents My Heart
 Bridge Over Troubled Water

Hayley ‧ Wisconsin Tel cooperation with the Hong Kong City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong's first public concert details:

Date and Time: 2013 Player年11月30日(星期六) 19:30
2013年12月1日(星期日) 15:00
Venue: Hong Kong City Hall
Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong on the 5th
Tickets: A District - HK $ 500 / HK $ 380/HK $ 220
C District - HK $ 250/HK $ 190/HK $ 110
Enquiries: (852) 28642157 Website: www.hayleywestenra.com / www.urbtix.hk / www.ccohk.com (852) 28642157


Issued by: City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong
Through: SAGE Communications Ltd.

For inquiries, please contact:
Contact: Chan Tsz Yan (Isabel Chan) / Peng Jieying (Christine Pang) / Yaoxian Juan (Ivan Yiu)
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] / [e-mail] .hk / iyiu @ sagecom.com.hk 28015311
28017110




Location



Hong Kong City Hall
5 Edinburgh Place, Central,

[Libby]

Wisconsin? That's interesting. If she would come to Wisconsin again, maybe I could convince my dad to go visit his sister. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Richard]

Hello Libby!

I'm fairly certain Wisconsin Tel or Tela is only a mistranslation of the Chinese characters for Westenra, so don't get too excited just yet.

Richard

[Libby]

Oh, I know.

[jimg]

I have just seen this on twitter. I don't think we have seen it before.

Hayley Westenra
Posted: 20 Nov 2013




She’s a crowd-pleaser and just oh-so-nice – Ysabelle Cheung speaks to singing sensation Hayley Westenra prior to her concerts in Hong Kong

The halo floating above songbird Hayley Westenra’s head still gives off the same glow that first appeared with her debut on the music scene. Famed for her pure unadulterated voice, New Zealand-born Westenra was discovered by a talent scout at age 12; she has since performed a mix of gentle classical and contemporary music for audiences such as the British royal family. She’s been called the ‘angelic voice of our time’ and her squeaky-clean image is unassailable; at only 26 years old, she’s released six albums, sung worldwide and has managed to escape the harsh media eye despite spending all of her teenage years performing. Perhaps Miley Cyrus could take a few notes.

However, her career is not entirely without its bumps. Westenra cancelled all her tour dates in 2008 due to a mental and physical breakdown, offset by an eating disorder. She climbed back to the top and, with the release of the Ennio Morricone collaboration album Paradiso in 2011, she included a few numbers that allow her to experiment more, both vocally and emotionally. “I’m sure my music will evolve as I get older – it already has changed a lot since I first started out, in both my singing and my song choices,” Westenra says. “I’ve been writing original material over the last few years, so I think my music is gradually becoming more and more eclectic.”

She’s due to sing in Hong Kong for the first time ever, with the City Chamber Orchestra, and with two concerts accompanied by the Hong Kong Welsh Male Choir and Treble Choir. The setlist should be familiar to audiences young and old, with classics like You Raise Me Up and Somewhere Over the Rainbow complementing Westenra’s lilting soprano voice. Chinese song Bao Bei is also included; she regularly sings in foreign languages such as Japanese, Maori, Italian, German, French and others. “I really enjoy connecting with people through my music and by singing in their mother tongue,” Westenra muses. “It really enables me to make a deeper connection.”

Westenra is also an active member of various charitable organisations, being the second-youngest UNICEF Ambassador to date. “It’s such a wonderful life that I’ve been given – and it’s nice to be able to give something back,” she says. “With UNICEF, it’s a role that’s really opened my eyes, and it’s just wonderful to be in a position to help out.”

She cites her recent recording on her latest album, Hushabye, as another turning point in her career, not least because the song was possibly the very first one heard by baby Prince George of the British royal family. Written by Paul Mealor and lyricist Brendan Graham, Sleep On was specially assigned to Westenra.

Her most nerve-wracking encounter in recent memory, however, was with Morricone, despite her years of experience singing live. “I knew that an album rested upon it,” she says of their ‘casual’ encounter. “We had been talking about the album at his apartment, and then he brought me over to the piano and we sang through a few of his pieces. He’s a musical legend, so of course I was a bit nervous.”

With her own wedding coming up just after her Hong Kong concerts, to French sound engineer Arnaud Sabard, Westenra shouldn’t have any complaints or worries about her present or future. Her life, like her voice, is clearly charmed.

Hayley Westenra City Hall, Nov 30-Dec 1. Tickets: $500-$110. urbtix.hk.

[grant]

Thanks Jim - Nice article

[jimg]

The interview by Ysabelle Cheung seems to sugest a December wedding.

With her own wedding coming up just after her Hong Kong concerts, to French sound engineer Arnaud Sabard, Westenra shouldn’t have any complaints or worries about her present or future. Her life, like her voice, is clearly charmed

[martindn]

Indeed, I'm glad I named both Hayley and Arnaud on my Christmas Card to Hayley. They could be husband and wife by the time she sees it.

Martin D

[Libby]

Hmm, do you think they'll have Christmas first, and then go on a honeymoon, or be back from their honeymoon in time for Christmas?

[Bamafan]

Here's an interview with Hayley that was posted by The China Daily... TOMORROW?!?!?!? :je Just kidding, I know the time differences.

www.chinadaily.com.cn/sunday/2013-11/24/content_17127172.htm

-Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Libby]

I'm curious. If Hayley has never performed for Hong Kong audiences before, what did she go there for, "a number of years" ago?

[Tin]

Nov 24, 2013 5:00:22 GMT Libby said:

I'm curious. If Hayley has never performed for Hong Kong audiences before, what did she go there for, "a number of years" ago?

Hi Libby,

If my memory serves me right, Hayley came to Hong Kong in 2005 to promote Odyssey. While she didn't sing in a concert like she will next week, she did have a mini-performance or two in a shopping mall for lucky passers-by.

Tin

[Richard]

Here's Hayley's interview in full:

www.chinadaily.com.cn/sunday/2013-11/24/content_17127172.htm

Voice of angels

By Rebecca Lo (China Daily)

Hayley Westenra's pitch-perfect pipes propelled her to international stardom at the age of 16. Rebecca Lo catches up with the London-based singer as she prepares for her debut concert in Hong Kong.

The female voice has never failed to thrill. Perhaps because it is usually the first sound we hear: our mother humming lullabies as she cradles us in her arms. For Christchurch native Hayley Westenra, her earliest memories of music were all about her family.

"When I was a child, my parents used to put on classical music tapes when I couldn't fall asleep at night," she recalls. "They left a big impression on me. Also, when we would go down to visit my grandparents, my granddad would play the piano or the piano accordion and my nana would sing. Those are wonderful memories that I hold onto."


New Zealander Hayley Westenra feels a wonderful connection
with China through music. Provided to China Daily

The 26-year-old New Zealander has been performing for most of her life. After first stepping onto the stage at the age of 6 to star in a Christmas school play, she began recording at the age of 12 and landed a deal with Decca Records while still in high school. Soon, she was performing all over New Zealand and cutting record deals.

Pure, her 2003 CD featuring classical and light pop songs alongside traditional Maori ballads, remains the fastest-selling international debut classical album to this day.

Westenra is a natural performer, and has crossed over from her classical music roots to include New Age and Celtic in her repertoire as her voice matured.

"I had some mentoring from a very well-known New Zealand opera singer, Dame Malvina Major, when I got my record contract," she notes. "With her, I learned a foundation that I have built upon. I then reached a point where I could have taken a more operatic path or a more natural singing path. I chose the natural singing path, which still requires technique, but I've put my emphasis on holding onto the voice that I feel is mine."

Westenra has since performed for countless heads of states and dignitaries, including former US president George W. Bush and Queen Elizabeth II. But she has a special place in her heart for a charming Italian crooner and their duet in her hometown.

"My most memorable performance would be performing with Andrea Bocelli in Christchurch," she remembers fondly. "He was one of the singers who inspired me when I was growing up, and I used to sing along to his album Romanza all the time. It was very surreal being onstage with him and, in a way, introducing him to the home crowd. It was overwhelming."

Despite, or perhaps because of, her celebrity status, Westenra does what every other 20-something does when she isn't touring. This helps her prepare for concerts and keeps her grounded.

"I take joy in everyday things, like putting together a nice meal or catching up with friends," she says. "Because I travel so much, I enjoy the simple things - even just doing the washing.

"To prepare for a concert, I think it's just a matter of keeping the mind and body fit. It's a personal thing. For me, it's fresh vegetables. I also drink a lot of water, because usually I'm flying in for a concert and I may be quite dehydrated. And I wouldn't have a chocolate smoothie before I go onstage - I'm more of a herbal tea girl."

Although Westenra has performed in China many times, the two concerts at City Hall will be her first time singing for Hong Kong audiences.

"I'm so excited to be finally holding a concert in Hong Kong," she says. "It has been a number of years since I've been there and it's a place I adore.

"I've really enjoyed all my trips to China. It's wonderful the connection that can be made through song. When singing in Mandarin in China, I feel a stronger connection with the audience. And it's fun, too.

"What fascinates me is just how much I need music. It's a magical thing. In terms of performing, it's something that really keeps me alive and well. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have singing and performing in my life."



Contact the writer at [e-mail]

(China Daily 11/24/2013 page15)

Richard

[Libby]

Nov 24, 2013 6:31:32 GMT Tin said:

Nov 24, 2013 5:00:22 GMT Libby said:

I'm curious. If Hayley has never performed for Hong Kong audiences before, what did she go there for, "a number of years" ago?

Hi Libby,

If my memory serves me right, Hayley came to Hong Kong in 2005 to promote Odyssey. While she didn't sing in a concert like she will next week, she did have a mini-performance or two in a shopping mall for lucky passers-by.

Tin

Thanks, Tin.