This poster provided by HKGNA shows a star-studded line-up of artists and musicians for the opening concert at HKGNA Music Festival 2022 – "Music on the Harbourfront" on Nov 18, 2022. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
HONG KONG – Celebrating its love for Hong Kong and the bright future ahead for the city’s youth, local music charity Hong Kong Generation Next Arts Limited (HKGNA) unveiled on Thursday the exciting details of its annual music festival.
This outdoor music event, titled HKGNA Music Festival 2022 – Music on the Harbourfront, will be held from Nov 18-20 at the West Kowloon Great Lawn, Art Park.
In the backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, this festival will be a celebration of music, film and the city’s renowned celebrities, Michelle Kim, the founder and artistic director of HKGNA, said at a press conference.
Michelle Kim, the founder and artistic director of Hong Kong Generation Next Arts Limited (HKGNA), delivers a speech during the press conference of HKGNA Music Festival 2022 – Music on the Harbourfront at M+ Museum on Oct 20, 2022. (GARY CHIU / CHINA DAILY)
There is a big anticipation that Keung To has chosen this youth music charity event to come back on stage for Hong Kong and promote the city ... Sumi Jo will sing one of the popular Mirror songs by Keung To, and she will sing in Korean. That will be a surprise in the opening concert. I think people will love it.
Michelle Kim, founder and artistic director of HKGNA
A major highlight of the festival happens on the first day when Keung To from Hong Kong’s famous Cantopop group Mirror performs with Grammy Award winner and the world’s highest -selling classical singer, soprano Sumi Jo from South Korea.
“There is a big anticipation that Keung To has chosen this youth music charity event to come back on stage for Hong Kong and promote the city,” Kim said.
“Sumi Jo will sing one of the popular Mirror songs by Keung To, and she will sing in Korean. That will be a surprise in the opening concert. I think people will love it,” she added.
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Other superstar guest artists include Hong Kong’s Cantopop stars Jade Kwan and P1X3L, international and internet sensation comedy music duo Igudesman & Joo, Canadian pianist Matt Herskowitz, and Hong Kong Classical virtuosos HK Phil concertmaster Jing Wang, conductor Andrew Ling and Felix Shuen. The HKGNA Music Festival Youth Orchestra will perform alongside these celebrity guest artists.
Meanwhile, there will be a performance of Cantonese Suites by renowned Chinese Composer Ye Xiaogang.
“We believe in Hong Kong and our youth. I hope you know how much we truly love this city, our youth, and our generation next,” Kim said.
This poster provided by HKGNA shows Hong Kong movie "Anita", which will be featured in an open-air movie event dubbed "Cinemagic" on the first day of HKGNA Music Festival 2022 – Music on the Harbourfront on Nov 18, 2022. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
We believe in Hong Kong and our youth. I hope you know how much we truly love this city, our youth, and our generation next ... We are giving the very best gift to Hong Kong to show how much we love the city and how much we care and treasure this city.
Michelle Kim, founder and artistic director of HKGNA
Each day of the festival will start with an open-air movie event dubbed “Cinemagic”, featuring film selections from Hong Kong, French and Korean movies, followed by a star-studded concert.
The first day will open with Anita as a tribute to Hong Kong’s respected pop cultural icon Anita Mui Yim-fong.
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“We are giving the very best gift to Hong Kong to show how much we love the city and how much we care and treasure this city”, Kim said.
Pointing out that the city has been recovering from the pandemic, Kim added that residents shared the passion for the brand-new future of Hong Kong.
Brian Hui, head of Customer Propositions and Marketing of Wealth and Personal Banking at HSBC, agreed and said it was important for everyone to support local events and showcase the vibrancy of the city, adding that organizers hoped to bring local and international fans of art and music together.
William Pak, CEO of Esprit, also said at the same conference that as Hong Kong was opening up again, the timing is right for people to come together and celebrate.
Michelle Kim, founder and artistic director of HKGNA (center), Brian Hui, head of Customer Propositions and Marketing of Wealth and Personal Banking at HSBC (left) and William Pak, CEO of Esprit, pose for a group photo during the press conference of HKGNA Music Festival 2022 – Music on the Harbourfront at M+ Museum on Oct 20, 2022. (GARY CHIU / CHINA DAILY)
The officiating guests pose for a group photo during the press conference of HKGNA Music Festival 2022 – Music on the Harbourfront at M+ Museum on Oct 20, 2022. (GARY CHIU / CHINA DAILY)
The concert performances will be broadcast through CJENM’s tvN networks in eight regions and will be streamed live around the world.
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This three-day event is supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Tourism Commission, Brand Hong Kong, and international foreign consulates, including the Korean, Canadian and French Consulates in Hong Kong, and the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong.
Founded in 2009, HKGNA is a registered charity, aiming to inspire and nurture artistic excellence and personal success in our next generation of young artists and transform lives through music.
