Classically trained pianist and a lover of choral singing, and in particular, of sacred songs, Elaine Pao will be leading a choir to sing the rarely heard--in this neck of the woods--Handel’s ‘Messiah’. Hear and learn what this oratorio is about and what creates its beauty.

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In the season of musicals by adults for adults; adults for children, comes a musical written and created by adults and performed by children. Our guests share with us the premise of this musical and paint a future for musicals in the country.

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Though we have taken in Negaraku’s lyrics and weaved them to our hearts, few of us know how this song traveled from France, Seychelles, Hawaii, Indonesia and to our own shores (though not necessarily in that order). It was once a pop song, a dance song, a state anthem but today holds a special place with a Parliamentary Act to protect it. 

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The inaugural concert under royal patronage for a brand new professional orchestra in the Klang Valley.  The founder explains why we need another classical orchestra in the valley and what it needs to do to get bums in seats. And more importantly, engage young audiences.

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Instant Cafe Theatre is gathering its current and alumni actors and singers for a big reunion celebration. ICT is now 26 years old, and in this country it is no mean feat to have this kind of history.

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Literally grandparents tales in four dialects. The artistic director tells that through Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese folk songs, four tales are told in this musical journey. And the reason for such a performance: the preservation of four voices; the preservation of four cultures.

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The conductor has a second love: perfume. And he has his own personal line of perfumes. We get the opportunity to ask him how one passion informs the other and how these two interests inform his sensibilities.  He also shares why he likes Mahler, Beethoven and Bruckner.

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South Korea’s soft power comes from its exporting of its TV-soaps, costume-dramas and of course kookie-kutter K-pop kuties. In images the artist--from Taiwan who spent an art residency in KL-- tells the story of transformation and the presentation of the ideal perfection. Isa Ho details her project Mr Peony Pavilion in which she investigates the Asian obsession with K-pop.

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Southeast Asian curators of and academics who write on traditional cultures gather in KL for conversations on culture & arts, look at and explore our what we share in common: our traditions, histories and cultures.

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After a hiatus - ok, ok - an extended hiatus, she is back singing and in a solo performance. I recall her on stage parodying our culture’s preoccupation with whitening cream and skin-deep beauty. Shanthini tells what she did during her hiatus and how that time away from the stage has prepared her to come back.

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