Singapore conductor to debut in China

Singaporean conductor Wong Kah Chun, winner of a prestigious global competition last month, is set to make his professional debut in China.

The 29-year-old will step in for Jesus Lopez-Cobos' subscription concerts as the well-known Spanish conductor is indisposed, Wong's management agency said yesterday.

He will conduct the China Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing on Saturday, before helming the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra on June 18.

On June 25, he will conduct the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra.

The repertoire will include Dvorak's 7th Symphony and his Violin Concerto, which will be performed by leading Chinese soloist Tang Yun.

On May 12, Wong became the first Asian to scoop the first prize at the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Bamberg, Germany.

He had beaten 13 other competitors from around the world in the contest for young conductors, which began in 2004 and is held once every three years.

Since the win, he told The Straits Times, he has been approached by various people - including a "well-known orchestra" and top- tier artist management company - with offers for projects and opportunities.

One of Singapore's most prolific young conductors, he has led orchestras in more than 20 cities on four continents.

His most recent performance here was at the Botanic Gardens last Saturday, when he conducted the Singapore Lyric Orchestra's annual free open-air concert, Opera In The Park.

He had turned down an invitation to conduct an orchestra in Germany because he was already scheduled for the Singapore concert.

mklee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on June 7, 2016.
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