Metropolitan Melodies
Hong Kong City Hall Theatre
Cello Recital
A special concert evening awaits you - profound, moving, timeless.
With Metropolitan Melodies, cellist Clara Tsang Fung invites audiences on a musical journey that transcends sound alone. In a world of constant change, music creates a space for stillness, connection and meaning - a delicate tapestry of emotion, memory and hope.
Amid the culturally vibrant setting of Hong Kong City Hall, experience how the cello becomes a bridge between the inner and outer worlds - a quiet force that connects people across time and space.
Welcome message from cellist Clara Tsang Fung
"I am a human first, and only then, a cellist. My heart is drawn to the ways people live, love, and move through the world. The cello is my vessel — a bridge to the hidden landscapes of the human spirit. Through music, I wander across memories and emotions, past and present, weaving them into interpretations that speak not only from me, but to those who dream, question, and believe as I do.
My concerts are not offered as mere entertainment, nor simply as beautiful sounds; They are invitations — for those who seek meaning beyond the music, and connection beyond the self. Metropolitan Melodies was born from quiet observations of a world in flux. In the wisdom of ancient Chinese thought — through the Book of Yi Ching, through the old stars — there lies the understanding that we have entered a time of upheaval, when what once was must be renewed. In this season of uncertainty, countless souls — no matter who they are or where they stand — are searching for their place amidst the shifting winds.
With Metropolitan Melodies, I hope to offer a space where music becomes a thread of belonging, stitching together a fragile but luminous community. For in troubled times, it is music that heals, gathers, and lights the way forward — a gentle force carrying us through darkness toward hope."
Clara Tsang Fung
Biography Clara Tsang Fung graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and studied under different cellists, including Richard Bamping and Professor Ray Wang. She also received training from some of the finest cellists of the century through masterclasses held by the late Timothy Landauer, Martin Menking, Gerhard lberer and Mario Brunello, and private lessons with Natalie Gutman, Orlando Cole, Bion Tsang, Thomas Grossenbacher and Antonio Pleeth. She is also a certified expressive arts therapist after completing the master programme from the University of Hong Kong in 2021. Since her study at HKAPA, her grounded performance had earned her entries to local and international orchestras, e.g. the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the New Philharmonic of Hong Kong, Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, Pacific Music Festival 2005 in Japan and Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific 2012 in Canada. She also collaborated with various musicians and artists in live concerts, e.g. famous Hong Kong pop stars, Yoshiki from Japan, and more. Furthermore, her delicate touch and musical sensitivity has brought her to appear in commercial events, e.g. in Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival; National Geographic Asia Opening event; Hong Kong Asia Film Festival; and the recent Celebration of Rémy Martin’s 300th Anniversary and their new limited edition cognac. Clara's passion and vision in connecting people with music led to the establishment of Cello Factory, a local music school, and Hong Kong Cellist Society (HKCS) in 2004. Under HKCS’s Forever Red Project, she started her journey of musical reflection and discovery in 2012 with annual recital concerts held in Hong Kong, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Shanghai, and Taiwan. Recently she has started the “V Match Project” on YouTube which is a pop music cover production with cello that shed refreshing lights to popular and all time favourite songs with Hong Kong’s local sceneries and iconic elements.
Follow
Ella Xunhuan Zhou - Pianist
Concert in Grüningen on September 19
Biography Ella was born in China and displayed exceptional musical talent from a tender age. She started playing the piano at 4 and quickly establishing herself as a child prodigy. In the year 2000, Ella immigrated to the UK, where she continued to excel in her musical pursuits. Apart from participating in competitions and concerts, she also took interest in composing, and publicly performed her first String Quartet with members from the Brighton Symphony Orchestra at age 15. Setting the stage for a remarkable career ahead, she then moved Paris, where she studied under the guidance of Maestro Mariam Rybicki. After graduating from Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, Ella's performances transcended boundaries as she captivated audiences across Europe. Notable highlights include her debut performance at Schloss Proschwitz by special invitation from Prince Zur Lippe. Ella spent significant years in Brazil, she immersed herself in new musical experiences, studying with Maestro Amaral Vieira and participating in renowned festivals like the Mackenzie music festival in São Paulo. Her global presence continued to expand as she showcased her musical prowess in cities like Hong Kong and Boston, leaving a lasting impression on diverse audiences. Ella is now resides in Lisbon, continuing her life adventures in music, collaborating with artists from different cultures and fields, In summer 2023, she performed the opening gala for Godown music club in Amsterdam and she had her debut with Kennedy chamber orchestra HK in 2024. As one of the multi cultural generation, Ella speaks 5 languages including French and Portuguese. She is a dog mom and took huge interests and responsibilities in social development and education. She has recently opened her own podcast show “Out of Office” with her co-host and has generated more than 35k followers in 12 months and is continuing to grow.