Events & Programs

‘EASON’S LIFE’ CONCERT

‘Eason’s Life’ celebrates Hong Kong, with a Cantopop concert in the HK Coliseum!

As part of our charitable ‘HK! HK!’ event, we celebrated Hong Kong’s remarkable music scene through the kind support of international super-star, nicknamed ‘God of Song’ – Eason Chan. Praised as a front-runner of his generation in Cantopop, Eason brings global recognition and new musical heights to the genre.

Eason Chan, FIF Youth Ambassador, kindly dedicated a whole night of his concert to First Initiative Foundation (FIF) for the ‘HK! HK!’ event. Some of FIF’s Artists-in-Support performed at Eason’s spectacular concert for more than 6000 excited fans. Pianist Lang Lang, classical guitarist Yang XueFei, violinist Wen Wei and world champion Latin dancers Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis treated the audience to brilliant performances.

RENÉE FLEMINg

An enchanting vocal masterclass with Renée Fleming.

First Initiative Foundation (FIF) is extremely lucky to have the legendary Renée Fleming as an Honorary Advisor. She delighted one and all with a fantastic masterclass. In support of educational achievement, the renowned soprano shared her expertise in the world of music and opera. Three specially chosen Hong Kong students were invited on stage for mentorship and advice, on a variety of vocal techniques as the audience benefited from Renee’s teaching.

AN EVENING WITH RENÉE FLEMING

FIF supporters enjoy a wonderful evening of music followed by a fundraising dinner with guest of honour — Renée Fleming.

Critically acclaimed soprano and musical ambassador Renée Fleming performed at a sold-out public recital supported by First Initiative Foundation (FIF), in partnership with the HK Government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

We are very happy to have Renée as an Honorary Advisor of FIF, with her remarkable musical talent benefiting our mission to enrich music, culture and mentorship in Hong Kong. In addition, FIF presented a masterclass with the opera sensation for local students.

ERIC LE SAGE RECITAL

Le Sage and Schumann: a fantastic recital.

First Initiative Foundation (FIF) was pleased to bring another exciting French musician to Hong Kong’s music lovers. FIF presented Eric Le Sage, whose warm and subtle sound has accelerated him into becoming one of the leading pianists of his generation.

The recital, in conjunction with Le French May, highlighted one of Le Sage’s areas of expertise, Schumann. This music initiative, accompanied by an Eric Le Sage Masterclass brought the best of classical music to Asia.

ERIC LE SAGE AND SCHUMANN: A MASTERCLASS IN PIANO

After a beautiful performance by Eric Le Sage, First Initiative Foundation (FIF) was very pleased to present a masterclass for many deserving and talented students and teachers. This unique educational opportunity was made possible with the cooperation of Le French May, the Education Bureau, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University – a wonderful collaboration to enrich our local young musicians.

Selected music students took the stage to benefit from one-on-one mentoring by Eric Le Sage, who shared his expert advice in performing Schumann, Schubert and Francis Poulenc. This truly inspirational masterclass supported the music education and confidence of students in attendance.

HONG KONG! HONG KONG!

Hong Kong, Hong Kong! A celebration of our city and culture.

Filled with nostalgia, First Initiative Foundation (FIF) uplifted the

Hong Kong community with a charitable event paying homage to our history of places, cuisine, customs, music and art.

Supporters and patrons enjoyed one of Hong Kong’s finest forms of art – food! Five famous chefs created a Michelin-starred dining experience in support of FIF, followed by a silent charity auction and a preview of auction items to be presented by Sotheby’s to benefit FIF.

‘HK! HK!’ concluded with a spectacular public concert ‘Eason’s Life’ at the Hong Kong Coliseum, starring Canto pop superstar Eason Chan with a myriad of FIF’s Artists in Support.

BOTTICELLI’S VENUS EXHIBITION

Touring from Turin: Hong Kong University presents a viewing of Venus.

For the first time in Hong Kong, Sandro Botticelli’s Venus was presented at the University Museum and Gallery of Hong Kong University (HKU). First Initiative Foundation (FIF) supported the event in order to provide viewing of this inspiring masterpiece to the broader community.

The Italian Consulate of Hong Kong and Macao, the Italian Cultural Institute and the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) are honoured to present to the public a true Italian masterpiece – Venus (ca. 1482) by Florentine Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli (1445–1510). Patronised by noble families including the Medici, Botticelli produced a number of unique Venus paintings one of which, a treasure from the celebrated Galleria Sabaudain Turin, will be on view in Hong Kong for the first time from October 17th through December 15th, 2013. An iconic image of the high artistic achievement of the Renaissance (14th–16th centuries), Botticelli’s carefully executed tempera painting on wood relates to ancient classical sculpture and the tradition of depicting the goddess Venus as a heroine, symbolising love, beauty, fertility and prosperity in Greco-Roman mythology. 

A rebirth of Antiquity, the Italian High Renaissance is significant for the sophisticated stylistic and technical advances in science and art, and the methodical study of nature and the human body. Botticelli’s painting, a depiction of the nude, exemplifies these values in which the verisimilitude and beauty of the human condition as an ideal form is achieved by the finest artists in early modern Europe. 

UMAG plans an unprecedented public outreach programme to welcome this true sensation to our community to enchant and to educate interested members of our community, collectors and scholars, as well as students from local and international schools. In collaboration with two Italian scholars in HKU’s Fine Arts department, students will be able to learn, teach and exchange art-historical and cultural knowledge, while bringing together the wider public for whom lectures, workshops, and seminars will be organised at the museum.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of Ms Pansy Ho.