The event was held in Zhaishan Tunnel, with many music fans crossing the sea to enjoy this concert with distinctive battleground character. Six sessions were held each day, with an audience of 200 people each time. Around 70% of audience members were from Taiwan, bringing in substantial tourism revenue to Kinmen. The event is Kinmen’s most important music event.
The two main themes of the festival this year were Longing for Peace and A Ray of Hope, pondering on life through music and bringing light to the world. Artistic director Chang Cheng-chieh believes that the pandemic of the past year has had an enormous impact on the world and the fear of the unknown has led us to think differently about life and, more than ever, feel the importance of peace and health. For this reason, he invited renowned poet Xiang Yang, soprano Huang Li-chin, and Taiwan’s leading Oboist Hsieh Wan-chen to combine with a chamber orchestra made up of famed violinists Li Yi-chin and Chang Chi-ting and “viola doctor” Hsu Hsiao-hung.
The curtain opened in this natural concert hall with the collison of voice and music. Teacher Xiang Yang recited Dad’s Lunch Box, a piece rich in emotion and strong feelings for Taiwan, and Farewell, written amidst the pandemic. He was accompanied by music that interpreted the artistic conception of the poems. The combination of poetry and music moved the audience like never before. Making her first appearance, soprano Huang Li-chin performed classics including The Lady of the Camellias with her heavenly voice, filling the tunnel with different levels of sound as her voice reverberated around the tunnel.
The second’s day’s performance has elegant and enchanting oboe matched with a classical string quartet. The music was varied and melodious and created an orchestra-like effect. Mozart’s Oboe Quartet gave the audience a different kind of audial feast. This year, the stage was designed by new designer Rong Hsiao-yang of Leon Florist, decorating the space with exquisite floral art and presenting an elegant and warm air.
With COVID-19 presenting a serious challenge to the world, the central thinking of this event was Longing for Peace and A Ray of Hope. Artistic director cellist Chang Cheng-chieh hoped to awaken hope with the melodious sound of cello and remind people of the preciousness of peace. In a tunnel built for war, the soft and emotional musical performance prayed that the world goes towards peace and happiness.
Female soprano Huang Li-chin sang The Lady of the Camellias and other classics
Teacher Xiang Lang recited a poem he created for the epidemic