The Imperial Bells in Concert February 8, 2011

For one performance only!

A spectacular pageantry filled with beauty,
romance & celebration

In a unique display unlike any other orchestral performance, the internationally acclaimed Hubei Bianzhong Bell Ensemble brings The Imperial Bells in Concert for one spellbinding concert on Tuesday, 8 February at Sydney Town Hall as part of the official program for the City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Celebrations.

The use of the precise replicas of these ancient Chinese bells creates an authentic melodious timbre, a beautiful, hypnotising sound, both romantic and sonorous. The concert includes exquisite singing and the use of ancient drums, harps, pan pipes and bamboo flutes.

Steeped in music, cultural and spiritual history, this performance is not to be missed by music lovers and Chinese New Year revellers alike.

“We are excited to perform in Sydney for the first time as part of the Sydney Chinese New Year celebrations. The bells are musically unique and carry their own history, which is palpable to any audience member,” said the Conductor of Hubei Bianzhong Bell Ensemble, Xia Hong. “Not only does the sound of the bells, filled with an elegant beauty transport you but the bells are visually breathtaking because of their scale, their elaborate cast technique and the way in which they impressively hang on their wooden frames. This is an extremely exciting addition to the Chinese New Year celebrations”.

Part of the Hubei Province Opera and Dance Theatre, Hubei Bianzhong Bell Ensemble is an amalgamation of a large bronze chime bells orchestra and a Chinese Folk orchestra and is committed to composing ancient bronze chime bells music and Chinese folk music.

The Hubei Bianzhong Bell Ensemble is famous for having composed the masterpiece, The Chime of Bells, which China has recognised as a significant contribution to the heritage of Chinese music. The show is an international cultural cornerstone, particularly for the Hubei region, having successfully toured to Japan, Hong Kong, the USA, Canada, France, Netherlands, Romania, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The Hubei Bianzhong Bell Ensemble performed in a variety of huge events, including the huge 10th Asia Arts Festival.

Dating back 2400 years, The Zenghouyi bells are replicas of the 433BC chime bells unearthed in 1978 in the Zenghouyi Tomb in Sui County, Hubei Province in China. There are sixty-five bells hanging on two sets of wood racks. The largest bell weighs in over two hundred kilograms, while the smallest bell is a little under two and a half kilograms. The original bells belonged to Marquis Yi of Zeng.

Bookings: 8069 8644

Official Website: http://www.imperialbells.com.au