Since 2009, the Beare’s Premiere Music Festival (formerly the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival) has been bringing internationally renowned classical musicians to Hong Kong every January for a series of world-class classical chamber music concerts. In 2025, the festive is featuring countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, mandolinist Avi Avital, violinist Ning Feng, violist Adrien La Marca, and more.
Beare’s Premiere Music Festival 2025
1. Jakub Józef Orliński – Beyond
On 13 January, Opera singer Jakub Józef Orliński partners with ensemble il Pomo d’Oro to present a one-of-a-kind musical experience. “Beyond” is an experience that transcends the boundaries of time, infusing Baroque music with contemporary relevance and vitality. The programme unveils a treasure trove of musical gems from the 17th century. In this concert, music lovers will be treated to world premieres, rare scores, and timeless classics.
Programme:
- Monteverdi, “E pur io torno qui” from L’incoronazione di Poppea; Voglio di vita uscir
- Marini, “Passacalio” from Per ogni sorte di strumento musicale, Op. 22
- Caccini, “Amarilli, mia bella” from Le nuove musiche
- Frescobaldi, “Così mi disprezzate” from Arie musicali Book 1
- Kerll, Sonata for Two Violins in F Major
- Strozzi, “L’amante consolato” from Cantate, ariette e duetti, Op. 2
- Cavalli, “Incomprensibil nume” from Pompeo Magno
- Pallavicino, “Sinfonia” from Demetrio
- Netti, “Misero core – Si, si, si scolga, si – Dolcissime catene” from La Filli
- Sartorio, “La certezza di tua fede” from Antonino e Pompeiano
- Netti, “Quanto più la donna invecchia”; “Son vecchia, pazienza” from L’Adamiro
- Jarzebski, “Tamburetta” from Canzoni e concerti
- Moratelli, “Lungi dai nostri cor” from La Faretra smarrita
Learn more about Jakub Józef Orliński – Beyond.
2. Avi Avital – The Baroque Mandolin
On 14 January, join Beare’s Premiere Music Festival for a captivating evening starring mandolin superstar Avi Avital. Avital will be performing with the esteemed period ensemble, il Pomo d’Oro, in a concert of Baroque masterpieces from Venice and Naples.
Programme:
- Vivaldi, Concerto in D Major RV93
- Galuppi, Concerto a Quattro No. 4 in C minor
- Vivaldi, Concerto in C Major, RV 425, for mandolin and orchestra
- Durante, Concerto No. 2 in G minor
- Barbella, Concerto in D Major, for mandolin and orchestra
- Hasse, Adagio e Fuga in G minor
- Paisiello, Concerto for mandolin in E-flat Major
Learn more about Avi Avital–The Baroque Mandolin.
3. An Afternoon with the Verona Quartet
An intimate chamber music experience await at Tai Kwun Contemporary on 18 January. Renowned for their exceptional cohesion and passionate performances, the Verona Quartet stands out as a one of the leading chamber music ensembles today. The Verona Quartet will be playing pieces by Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Gershwin for this special afternoon.
Programme:
- Mendelssohn, Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 12
- Shostakovich, Quartet No. 9 in E-flat Major, Op. 117
- Gershwin, Lullaby
Learn more about An Afternoon with the Verona Quartet.
Tai Kwun Contemporary, Tai Kwun, Tung Yuen Building, 7 Chancery Lane, Central, Hong Kong
4. Musical Fairy Tales – Goldipegs and The Three Cellos
On 19 January, enjoy Beare’s Premiere Music Festival’s enchanting musical fairy tales! Meet Ferdinand the Bull, a gentle giant who prefers flowers to fighting, and the Frog Prince awaiting his royal kiss. But the real magic unfolds with Goldipegs, the adventurous violin, who walks into the home of a family of cellos and discovers amazing music.
Programme:
- George Bizet, “Ferdinand The Bull” (arr. Douglas Meyer): Romer String Quartet
- Victoria Bond, “The Frog Prince”: Viva! Pipers
- Steven Isserlis/Anne Dudley, “Goldipegs and The Three Cellos”: Hannah Tam (violin), Richard Bamping (cello), Anna Kwan (cello), Eric Yip (cello), Evelyn Chang (piano)
- Narrator: Lynn Yau
Learn more about Musical Fairytales: Goldipegs and The Three Cellos.
5. Romantic Potpourri
On 21 January, leading chamber musicians are gathering to bring you a concert of Romantic chamber music. Opening with Louis Spohr’s enchanting Potpourri “On Themes of Mozart”, the concert continues with Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2 and selections from Bruch’s stunning Eight Pieces. The highlight of the evening is the iconic Mendelssohn Octet, a work of unparalleled virtuosity and emotional depth.
Programme:
- Spohr, “On Themes of Mozart”, Potpourri No. 2 Op. 22: Ning Feng (violin), Verona Quartet, George Lomdaridze (double bass)
- Mendelssohn, Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66: Sitkovetsky Trio
- Bruch, Selection from Eight Pieces for Violin, Viola, and Piano: So-Ock Kim (violin), Adrien La Marca (viola), Wu Qian (piano)
- Mendelssohn, String Octet in E-flat Major: Ning Feng (violin), So-Ock Kim (violin), Adrien La Marca (viola), Isang Enders (cello), Verona Quartet
Learn more about the Romantic Potpourri.
6. Festival Finale – La Belle Époque
Beare’s Premiere Music Festival concludes on 22 January with an evening of chamber music chosen from the era of La Belle Époque (1871-1914). The first half showcases the masterful skills of visiting ensembles. The Verona Quartet will play the only string quartet by Giuseppe Verdi, while the Sitkovetsky Trio will play the second trio by French Romantic composer, Cécile Chaminade. In the second half, musicians gather again for Fauré’s Piano Quartet. The grand finale of the festival will be Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy.
Programme:
- Verdi, String Quartet in E minor: Verona Quartet
- Chaminade: Trio No. 2 in A minor, Op. 34: Sitkovetsky Trio
- Faure, Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15: So-Ock Kim (violin), Adrien La Marca (viola), Isang Enders (cello), Wu Qian (piano)
- Bizet (arr. Julian Milone), Carmen Fantasy: Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), So-Ock Kim (violin), Jonathan Ong (violin), Dorothy Ro (violin), George Lomdaridze (double bass)
Learn more about the Festival Finale – La Belle Époque.
