The National Arts Council is proud to present the second Festival of Asian Performing Arts (FAPA). This Festival, which alternates with the Festival of Arts, showcases the best of Asian performing arts.
Like the first FAPA in 1993, the Festival this year will feature programmes by Singapore arts groups and from around Asia. Twenty-five groups will give a total of 56 performances.
The Opening Night performance for the Festival debuts the Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe, one of China's prestigious ensembles. They will bring to the Festival a visually stunning dance extravaganza on the Golden Dance of Dynastic China, a colourful pageant of distinctive traditional dances and lavish costumes depicting the different dynasties of Chinese history down to the contemporary period.
Ay-Kherel Ensemble from Southern Siberia, Tuva, will enthrall us with their unique ancient Tuvan tradition of throat singing; Sardono Dance Theatre from Indonesia will mesmerise with their enigmatic Passage Through the Gong, Bombay Jayashri of India will enchant us with her carnatic music.
Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, China's most famous orchestra, will make its debut here under the direction of their artistic director and principal conductor, Cao Peng. Soloists will include violinist, Yu Lina, pianist Feng Ying on 4 June and Ravi Shankar on 3 June.
Ravi Shankar, world-renowned musician, is back by popular demand. His debut with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra on 3 June will feature his own sitar concerto.
Zhejiang Little Flowers Shaoxing Opera Troupe returns after a highly acclaimed performance in Singapore in 1986 with Romance of the Western Chamber, Lu You and Tang Wan, The Filial Daughter-in-law and The Fall of Nan Tang Dynasty.
The best of Singapore talents will also be presented. Theatreworks will present Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral, by playwright Kuo Pao Kun; Practice Theatre Ensemble will present a Mandarin play, Death of a Hero written by local playwright Chew Boon Leong; Felix Chia will delight audiences with his Peranakan play, Si Adek Beradek (The Siblings), a melodramatic comedy. There will also be dance and music items from our Indian, Malay and Chinese arts groups.
The Festival will feature a specially commissioned work, Floatella 1001. This play is written by Cultural Medallion recipient, Han Laoda, and directed by Lin Jen Erh, winner of the National Arts Council's Young Artist Award.
These are only some of the exciting activities lined up for this year's Festival.
In addition, the Festival Fringe ‘95 will be held from 28 May to 4 June in conjunction with the Festival. It features 18 groups, 3 foreign and 15 local groups, performing at two main venues, Raffles City Atrium and Plaza Singapura.
Last but not least, I warmly welcome the foreign artists and thank all our sponsors, donors and volunteers, for their very generous support, in making this festival a reality.
I take great pleasure in welcoming you to the 1995 Festival of Asian Performing Arts.
– Professor Tommy Koh (National Arts Council Chairman)
(Source: National Arts Council Programme)