WASO TOUR TO CHINA MEDIA RELEASE
9 May, 2005
The Hon. Geoff Gallop, Premier of Western Australia, in conjunction with the North West Shelf Venture participants, today announced a tour of China in 2006 by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
At an official reception held at the Consulate of the People's Republic of China in East Perth, the Premier unveiled the proposed tour, which includes performances in six major cities of China.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra will perform in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Hang Zhou. Hang Zhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province, Perth's sister province in China.
The tour will take place over two weeks from 7 - 22 May. Joining the Orchestra on tour will be Chief Conductor Matthias Bamert, and French piano virtuoso, Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
Dr Gallop acknowledged the major cultural and commercial significance of the tour and the importance of relations with China.
"The West Australian Symphony Orchestra is our State's premier arts organisation and it is significant that in 2006, as the first Western Australian LNG shipment arrives in China, that we have the opportunity to showcase the great talent WA has to offer," he said.
At the official function, Janet Holmes à Court, Chairman of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, acknowledged the generous support of the China Tour Partners and the State Government.
"The Orchestra has not toured internationally for over 18 years due mainly to funding limitations. With the support of our North West Shelf Australia LNG corporate partners and the State Government of Western Australia, we are thrilled at the prospect of performing for the people of China," Mrs Holmes à Court said.
The North West Shelf Venture has a major interest in the Orchestra's tour as it coincides with the start of shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China's first LNG project in Guangdong Province. The LNG supply agreement is for 3.3 million tonnes of LNG a year for 25 years and still stands as the largest single trade deal in Australian history.
The seven North West Shelf participants that will supply LNG to China are BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf), BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd, ChevronTexaco Australia Pty. Ltd, CNOOC NWS Private Limited, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty. Ltd, Shell Development (Australia) Pty. Ltd, and Woodside Energy Ltd, all of whom have contributed significant funding to enable the Orchestra to tour.
"All companies involved in the North West Shelf Venture are corporate partners of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and I am delighted that we can work together to provide a very timely tour to China by our Orchestra," said John Banner, President of North West Shelf Australia LNG.
The Orchestra will perform music by Brahms, Chopin and Strauss in each of the cities, with gala for Chinese dignitaries at each of the performances. Perth audiences will have the chance to hear the "China Tour" concerts in the two weeks leading up to the Orchestra's departure.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra will be the only Australian State orchestra to tour internationally in 2006.
The Hon. Geoff Gallop, Premier of Western Australia, in conjunction with the North West Shelf Venture participants, today announced a tour of China in 2006 by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
At an official reception held at the Consulate of the People's Republic of China in East Perth, the Premier unveiled the proposed tour, which includes performances in six major cities of China.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra will perform in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Hang Zhou. Hang Zhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province, Perth's sister province in China.
The tour will take place over two weeks from 7 - 22 May. Joining the Orchestra on tour will be Chief Conductor Matthias Bamert, and French piano virtuoso, Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
Dr Gallop acknowledged the major cultural and commercial significance of the tour and the importance of relations with China.
"The West Australian Symphony Orchestra is our State's premier arts organisation and it is significant that in 2006, as the first Western Australian LNG shipment arrives in China, that we have the opportunity to showcase the great talent WA has to offer," he said.
At the official function, Janet Holmes à Court, Chairman of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, acknowledged the generous support of the China Tour Partners and the State Government.
"The Orchestra has not toured internationally for over 18 years due mainly to funding limitations. With the support of our North West Shelf Australia LNG corporate partners and the State Government of Western Australia, we are thrilled at the prospect of performing for the people of China," Mrs Holmes à Court said.
The North West Shelf Venture has a major interest in the Orchestra's tour as it coincides with the start of shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China's first LNG project in Guangdong Province. The LNG supply agreement is for 3.3 million tonnes of LNG a year for 25 years and still stands as the largest single trade deal in Australian history.
The seven North West Shelf participants that will supply LNG to China are BHP Billiton Petroleum (North West Shelf), BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd, ChevronTexaco Australia Pty. Ltd, CNOOC NWS Private Limited, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty. Ltd, Shell Development (Australia) Pty. Ltd, and Woodside Energy Ltd, all of whom have contributed significant funding to enable the Orchestra to tour.
"All companies involved in the North West Shelf Venture are corporate partners of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and I am delighted that we can work together to provide a very timely tour to China by our Orchestra," said John Banner, President of North West Shelf Australia LNG.
The Orchestra will perform music by Brahms, Chopin and Strauss in each of the cities, with gala for Chinese dignitaries at each of the performances. Perth audiences will have the chance to hear the "China Tour" concerts in the two weeks leading up to the Orchestra's departure.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra will be the only Australian State orchestra to tour internationally in 2006.
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