Now in its 6th year, Musical Moments was created by New Icon Ltd. to raise awareness and enjoyment of musical theatre, with its premiere performance in 2005. Since its second concert in 2006, New Icon has partnered with the charitable organization Lifeline Express to help raise funds for basic healthcare for the poor in China. Why you may ask, because while much has changed within China since 2006, the massive economic growth and river of cash has passed many bye and they still struggle with what we in Hong Kong take for granted.
A love of music and the musicals of Broadway and the West End saw the production of subsequent Musical Moments concerts as a way to give back. Over the years the concerts have featured some of the most talented international singers and musicians plus Hong Kong’s best, performing their favourite melodies. 2014 is no exception with tenor and music producer David Quah headlining a talent packed line-up that will perform songs from the 40s to the present day including hits from “Les Miserables”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Jekyll and Hyde”, “I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change”, “Dreamgirls”, “Bodyguard”, “Fame”, “Miss Saigon”, “Scarlet Pimpernel”, “Rent”, “Jersey Boys” and many more.
Justin Siu and his Innonation Acoustic Ensemble will be providing the musical support to the talented vocalists on show and this year will be paring back on the sound-mix for many of the songs to offer an “unplugged” version to create an intimate and personal experience where the vocals and the lyrics soar.
Amongst those performing unplugged this year are soprano Jovita Leung, Janaia Farrell, Hsu Li-tong, Marsha Yuan, Howard McCrary, baritone Albert Lim and tenors Alex Tam and David Quah, the latter three also performing as a group in an all-male ensemble – Hong Kong’s very own version of the three tenors, only that one of them is a baritone! Also appearing is Hsu Li-tong, who has participated in all the Musical Moments concerts since its inception. Li-tong is an international star on the musical theatre stage. She is currently playing the leading role of Kim in “Miss Saigon” at the Malmö Opera, Sweden.
Lifeline Express supports the operation of four custom-built hospital eye-trains and since 1997 these rainbow-coloured four-car fully equipped eye-trains have been providing free opthalmic treatment to poverty-stricken cataract victims in remote areas of China and almost 150,000 patients have had their eye-sight restored. Uniquely as a home grown Chinese non-profit organization with roots in Hong Kong Lifeline Express is one of only 69 charitable foundations approved by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs to accept tax deductible donations and raise funds nationwide and is endorsed by the Ministry of Health. Lifeline Express has also built 15 ophthalmic microsurgery training centers across China to train doctors and improve the vision of cataract sufferers. Expanding its commitment to the rural poor in 2006, Lifeline Express started a new project building solar hot water systems for rural schools to supply hot water to students. To learn more check out their website www.lifeline-express.com
Musical Moments: Unplugged is sponsored by OOCL
Musical Moments: Unplugged
When: 8pm, 22 January 2014
Where: Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall
How Much: $680, $480, $380, $280 & $180 from URBTIX
More info: 2722 1650; [email protected]; www.lifeline-express.com