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HKPO Artistic Director Edo de Waart Receives an Order of Australia
2005-06-13
HKPO Artistic Director Edo de Waart Receives an Order of Australia
Hong Kong, 9 June 2005 – The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Edo de Waart is appointed an honorary Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division, one of the highest civilian awards for services to the Australian community. This demonstrates Australia’s appreciation of de Waart and his immeasurable contribution to the musical and artistic life of Sydney and the country in the past decade, before he took up his current position with the HKPO.
The citation from the Australian Government reads as follows: “For service to Australia, particularly as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.”
The government recognizes Maestro de Waart’s success in making the Sydney Symphony an orchestra of international renown, to a point where the Orchestra could perform on the world stage and attract the finest artists appearing on the international concert circuit. In addition, they acknowledge the strong commitment de Waart has shown to Australian artists in recording and commissioning projects.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Order of Australia, which I had never expected,” said Edo de Waart. “I endeavour to leave the same legacy to the whole community of Hong Kong in the years to come, not only to promote artistic excellence at home and abroad, but also to develop a distinct Hong Kong style of concert-giving that relates to our unique and vibrant community. To that end, one of my key goals is to identify and promote the finest Chinese artists in the music field.”
