Hong Kong, 30 May 2008 – The Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government, the Hon Henry Tang, coached by renowned actor Samuel West, recited a passage from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at Hong Kong Philharmonic’s 2007/08 Donor’s concert - The Orchestral Shakespeare tonight, with Edo de Waart conducting. The concert was a tribute to the HKPO’s sponsors and donors, who each year contribute about 25 per cent of the Orchestra’s annual budget.

Programme details:
Cathay Pacific Discovery Series: The Orchestral Shakespeare

30 & 31 / 5 / 2008
Friday and Saturday 8pm
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall

The Orchestral Shakespeare is sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways.

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ABOUT THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Hailed as “one of Asia's top orchestras”, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) is led by the internationally renowned Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Edo de Waart. Enriching Hong Kong’s cultural life for over a century, the Orchestra has grown into a formidable ensemble of Chinese and international talents in the last three decades, attracting world-class artists to perform on the same stage. In April 2006, The Swire Group Charitable Trust became the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s Principal Patron to enable Maestro de Waart’s artistic vision for the Orchestra to be realized. HKPO annually touches the lives of 200,000 music lovers through more than 150 performances, including a series of outreach activities including the city’s largest outdoor symphonic concert in Happy Valley, Swire Symphony under the Stars. Please visit www.hkpo.com for more information about the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

SWIRE is the Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.