On the evening of 26 November, the 2023 Concert of CUHK(SZ) arrived as scheduled. Professor Xu Yangsheng, the President of CUHK(SZ), along with university executives, alumni from home and abroad, faculty members, students, parents and donors, as well as distinguished guests from government agencies, public institutions, and businesses, gathered at the Shenzhen Concert Hall to enjoy the splendid performance presented by the Chorus, the Orchestra, the Chinese Orchestra, the Chamber Group, A Cappella Group, School of Music, College students and special guests.
CUHK(SZ) will celebrate its tenth anniversary in March 2024. In the past ten years, we have gone through many difficulties, made great efforts, and achieved amazing results. President Xu Yangsheng said, “Looking back on the past, we kept moving forward step by step and achieved fruitful results. These achievements are inseparable from the great care and support for our university from the governments of both Shenzhen and Hong Kong as well as friends from all parts of society. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you.”
The special guests, China’s three tenors, Dai Yuqiang, Warren Mok and Wei Song, performed together in the songs Nessun Dorma, I Love You, China, and O Sole mio. In addition, the soprano solo ensemble – Liu Yonglin, Xie Minfen, and Yu Ya joined the performance and presented the song Libiamo ne‘ lieti calici. In the final song, My Motherland And Me, the audiences were invited to join in the chorus, sharing their love and pride for the motherland.
In this concert, not only the Chinese Orchestra of CUHK(SZ) presented a wonderful performance of Trying the Horse in Spring Countryside and New Scenes in Dunhuang, but also the A Cappella Group of CUHK(SZ) sang Hey Momma / Hit the Road, Jack and Waving Through a Window. Young Dance of Ling College, Martial Arts Club and choreographer Li Ziyi presented an original martial arts dance production, Nan Cheng, which gave the audience a taste of the charm of traditional martial arts and modern dance. The Chorus of CUHK(SZ) presented three songs, Ocean of Stars, The Letter under the Moonlight and Boundless Oceans Vast Skies, which conveyed the power and emotion of their songs and showed the personality of youth. The Chamber Group of CUHK(SZ) presented a saxophone quartet, Fly Me to the Moon, with a melodious sound.
This year, special guests – China’s three tenors Dai Yuqiang, Warren Mok and Wei Song, joined by the Chorus of CUHK(SZ), the Orchestra of CUHK(SZ), Opera & Voice Division of School of Music, the Philharmonia of School of Music, the Sinfonia of School of Music, Luo Xu from Opera & Voice Division, and the soprano solo ensemble of School of Music – Liu Yonglin, Xie Minfen and Yu Ya, along with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (Guest Orchestra), to perform a series of classic pieces. The repertoire included Love Melody between Two Places, The Great Wall Never Fall Down, The Sun That Will Never Set Rising Over The Grassland, Funiculì funiculà, Nessun Dorma, I Love You, China, O Sole mio and Libiamo ne’ lieti calici. The special guests and the female sopranos also surprised the audience with a rendition of My Motherland And Me prompting everyone in the venue to stand up and join in the chorus. The heartfelt performances of the tenors, the harmonies of the choir, and the accompaniment of the orchestra filled the Shenzhen Concert Hall, leaving every member of the audience deeply moved.
The 2023 Concert of CUHK(SZ) ended successfully with captivating voices and melodies. Carrying the blessings and aspirations of everyone, we are about to embark on a new chapter filled with even greater hope.
