The Beauty of French Melodies

Hong Kong Chamber Music Society
proudly presents

The Beauty of French Melodies
Recital by soprano Athene Mok and pianist Maha Zahid

Date and time:
Monday 28 October, 2024
(Concert at 7pm / Dinner at 8:30pm)
 
Location:
Central

Admission: 
$280 (concert only); $560 (concert & dinner)
 
Programme:
Piano – Debussy: Cathédrale engloutie (The Sunken Cathedral)
Piano – Debussy: Bruyères (Heather)

Part 1- Passionate Love and Sweetness

Piano & vocal – Gabriel Fauré: Chanson d’amour (Love song)
Piano & vocal – Saint-Saëns: Aimons-nous (Let us love)
Piano & vocal – Gabriel Fauré: Notre amour (Our love)

Part 2 – Mythology and Beauty

Piano & vocal – Hahn: Néère (Neaera)
Piano & vocal – Hahn: A chloris (To Chloris)

Part 3 – The Night and Dreams

Piano & vocal – Hahn: L’heure exquise (Exquisite hour)
Piano & vocal – Fauré: Après un rêve (After a dream)
Piano & vocal – Massenet: Nuit d’Espagne (Spanish Night)

Intermission

Piano – Debussy: Estampes
I. Pagodes
II. Soirée dans grenade (The evening in Granada)
III. Jardins sous la pluie (Gardens in the rain)

Part 4 – Nature on Love

Piano & vocal – Chausson: La dernière feuille (The last leaf)
Piano & vocal – Chausson: Le colibri (The Hummingbird)
Piano & vocal – Chausson: Les papillons (Butterflies)

Part 5 – The Passing of Time and Regrets

Piano & vocal – Chausson: Le temps de lilas (Lilac time)
Piano & vocal – Poulenc: Les Chemins de l’amour (The Paths of Love)

About the musicians:

Mok Tsz Wai, Athene (Soprano)

Hong Kong soprano, Athene Tsz Wai Mok has performed in Taipei, the United States, Hong Kong, Toronto and Tel Aviv. She appeared as Ah Fei in the premiere of Kungfood, a chamber opera in Cantonese by Dr. Chan Hing-yan in June, 2023.  She also appeared as Xiao Hong in the 2023 Hong Kong Art Festival’s dance opera Love Streams. Her other operatic appearances include Poppea and Valletto in L’incoronazione di Poppea, La Fée in Cendrillon, Morgana in Alcina, Sister Constance in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Despina in Cosi fan Tutte.

Athene is an active recitalist and concert soloist. Her concert appearances include Bach’s Magnificat with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Haydn’s The Creation and Bach’s B minor mass with the Eastman Philharmonia and Eastman Rochester Chorus, Haydn’s Nicolaimesse with Bucknell University Choir and Camerata, Fauré’s Requiem with The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chorus, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle and Saint Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio with the Hong Kong Youth Choir.

Athene received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree and Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. She obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Maha Zahid (Piano)

Originally from Casablanca, Moroccan pianist Maha Zahid began studying piano at the age of six at the Casablanca Conservatory under the guidance of Ali Moussadak. She then continued her studies at the Salmon Music School with Nicole Boyer and later joined the Paris Normal Music School under the tutelage of Jean-Marc Luisada. Currently, she is studying with pianists Alexander Gurning, Florian Noack, and Christophe Meunier at the Liège Royal Conservatory.

Maha gave her first concert at the age of 19 at the Théâtre 121 of the Institut Français de Casablanca. Following this, she performed at various venues including the CMOOA Gallery, Musée du Luxembourg in Paris, Acropolium of Carthage in Tunisia, Marguerite Theater in Caltanissetta, Italy, Villa Arts of Rabat, National Library of Rabat, the auditorium of Le Regard du Cygne in Paris, La Fonderie of Fontenay-sous-Bois, and Yamaha Casablanca.

In addition to participating in international competitions and concerts, Maha Zahid spends part of her time volunteering to bring classical music to retirement homes and hospitals.