National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) Celebrates 1st Anniversary and Presents Flagship Programmes for Public

Since its grand opening last October, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) has established a renowned reputation of artistic energy both domestic and abroad. In the first half of 2019, tickets to performances such as Turandot were sold out in an instant. Also, it’s also the first time that we operate After Lights Down Tour at backstage which allows audiences to get a deeper understanding of the theatre production. As a national-level theatre and aiming to be an art center for all, Eyes and Ears Project was initiated at Weiwuying for fulfilling cultural quality, by helping the hearing and visually impaired to experience the beauty of the centre.

After Lights Down Tour. Photo credit: National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

With the first anniversary approaching, Weiwuying is presenting heavyweight international performances and works that are rooted deeply in the local scene, including magic realism flagship opera The Magic Flute and concert of French pipe organ master Latry. A series of programmes inspired by Weiwuying’s pipe organ, the largest in Asia, and its vineyard-style concert hall, the only existing design in Taiwan, will be presented. As for showcasing local artists, Cloud Gate’s artistic director Lin Hwai-min’s last programme before retirement EXCHANGE, a collaboration between Cloud Gate and TAO Dance Theater is the first work that combines the endeavors of three international choreographers.

Weiwuying Anniversary Flagship Programmes

For the second half of this year, Weiwuying will be presenting Mozart’s iconic opera piece The Magic Flute. The performance has staged over 350 times in front of over 500,000 audiences internationally since its premiere in 2012. To deal with the long list of invitations, The Magic Flute has prepared five stage sets over the world, and this is the first time for the work to be performed in Taiwan. The production team broke through traditional opera performance methods; they first presented a meticulous rehearsal with the performers using advanced technology, which is then merged with three-dimensional animation, integrating forms and styles including mime, animation, collage painting, acrobatics and musicals, resulting in a rich multimedia work.

The Magic Flute (Photo credit: Iko Freese)

Integrating acrobatics, theatre, dance, and music, the spectacular and humorous presentation of Compagnia Finzi Pasca’s La Verità will also be staged. Mansai Nomura, the chief executive creative director of the opening and closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and traditional Japanese Kyogen performer, will be joining his father and Japanese national treasure Mansaku Nomura to present the first Kyogen with Mansaku Nomura and Mansai Nomura in Taiwan.

Apart from international renowned programmes, Weiwuying will also be presenting Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min’s last production before retirement, alongside the works of choreographer Cheng Tsung-lung, artistic director designee of Cloud Gate, and Beijing Tao Dance Theater choreographer Tao Ye, bringing audiences three works by the two dance groups. Kumara Tengu, a co-produced O-pei-la of Weiwuying and ChiChiao Musical Theatre, which was premiered in 2016 before Weiwuying’s construction completion, will be staged in Weiwuying’s Playhouse for the first time.

La Verità (Photo credit: Viviana Cangialosi Compagnia Pasca)

Weiwuying Concert Hall Selection Programmes

The series will be presenting two pipe organ concerts in the second half of the year. On 7 Sep, Dutch pipe organ and harpsichord musician Leon Berben will be presenting a recital, staging classic pipe organ works by figures such as Bach and Brahms. Olivier Latry, the prestigious pipe organist for Notre-Dame de Paris and consultant for the pipe organ of Weiwuying Concert Hall, will be performing on 12 Oct, showcasing work by famous musicians including Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Saint-Saëns, and Liszt. Latry will also be giving an impromptu performance at the end of the programme.

Other programmes include Messiah, one of the three major Western oratorios, presented by Les Arts Florissants; Discovering Chamber Music 1 by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, one of the most illustrious chamber orchestras in the world; Ray Chen & NSO, presented by National Symphony Orchestra and up-and-coming violinist Ray Chen; Celebration: Water Music by Essential Sound Baroque Ensemble, which aims to introduce the beauty of Baroque music, the root of classical music, and finally, The Film: Live in Concert will be presenting The Snowman and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, which is perfect for adults and children alike.

Enforcing Local Engagement

Weiwuying has been working on cultivating young generations within performing arts field. The Hero Academy Special Edition: The Star Never Fall is the last piece of the series. Under the project of training teen actors, Weiwuying has been co-working with Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government for three years. From initial training to finally being able to perform on stage, it carried out a thoughtful process of industrial chain.

Click here to visit National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts’ website.