Tuesday November 17, 2009

Audience mesmerised by orchestra and artistes’ show in royal charity concert

By JADE CHAN
Photos by RAJA FAISAL HISHAN

IT WAS truly a memorable night for the audience at the Unforgettable: Royal Charity Concert as they were treated to a musical journey of light classics, popular favourites and sheer symphonic magic.

The Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) had organised the two-day event at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s Plenary Hall to celebrate the 64th birthday of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and to raise funds for the non-profit organisation.

The royal charity gala night on Sunday was graced by the Sultan.

Also in attendance were the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Raja Puan Besar Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, members of the Selangor royal family, ADFM patron Puan Sri Wendy Ong and her husband Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, ADFM charter trustee Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong, and prominent Malaysian personalities.

Great show: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (front row, third from left) enjoying the unique lineup of performances that was featured at the Unforgettable: Royal Charity Concert. With him are (from left) Raja Puan Besar Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, Puan Sri Wendy Ong, Puan Sri Teng Teng Liew and Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin.

To commemorate the occasion, a surprise birthday celebration was held for the Sultan during the intermission period.

Famed Ipoh-born, New-York based conductor Eugene Pook led the 66-strong Kuala Lumpur International Festival Orchestra - an all-star ensemble of musicians handpicked by Pook from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, the US, Hong Kong, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Poland and Germany.

Adding glitz and glamour to the concert were AIM award-winning jazz singer Sean Ghazi, 2005 Concert Artists Guild International Competition first prize winner and American violinist Jessica Lee, and multilingual singer Estee Pook.

The concert featured a variety of styles, eras and languages, from classical pieces to movie soundtracks, to oldies and pop numbers enhanced with a symphonic twist.

Its first act comprised an introduction to a concert overture, followed by selections from the Broadway musical Phantom of the Opera, and some instrumental solo work.

Lee showed off her virtuoso skills when she played two constrasting solo works while being accompanied by the orchestra - a Hungarian dance number entitled Czardas and the romantically breathtaking Cinema Paradiso.

Beautiful performance: Sean (left) and Estee singing ‘The Prayer’.

Estee then presented the theme from New York New York and a Chinese tune called Zhang Sheng Xiang Qi (When the Applause Begins).

The second act took on a more contemporary and fun approach, with audience members seen swaying to their favourite numbers, and even sneaking some photos and videos.

It featured a tribute to John Williams, who composed renowned scores for movies like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman, Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Wendy estimated that some RM1.1mil had been collected thus far, though the event’s expenses had yet to be deducted.

She said all the money that had been collected would be channelled to the ADFM’s activities and support for more day-care centres.

“We still have funds coming in, and we also welcome donations from well-wishers (for details visit www.adfm.org.my or call 03-7956 2008),” said Wendy.