A masterpiece of music, "Bougainvillea and Golden Lotus," was performed at the Macao Cultural Center on Dec 28, illustrating the sibling-like relationship between the people of Macao and Zhuhai, who are separated by a mere strip of water.

The Zhuhai Traditional Chinese Orchestra presented the grand national symphonic suite to 600 Macao residents. It pays tribute to the 22nd anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and establishment of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. First performed Oct 29 at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, this was its debut in Macao.

Grand national symphonic suite "Bougainvillea and Golden Lotus" is staged at Macao Cultural Center [Photo by Wang Tingyue / Zhuhai Daily]

Comprising 14 individual musical pieces, the 90-minute symphonic suite is composed of lyrics by famous writer Zhu Hai (his actual name) and music by Meng Weidong and Li Fubin with elements of traditional Cantonese folk music, Cantonese opera, and Western music.

The concert opened with "A Praise of 1999" as a prelude and ended with "A Tribute to 2049" about how two peoples of the same roots rose out of poverty in modern times to where they stand now in a mutually beneficial and interdependent relationship. After the grand finale, the audience stood and applauded.

The concert included performances by the Zhuhai Song & Dance Troupe, Xinghai Conservatory of Music choirs, Zhuhai Performing Arts Group, and Macao musicians. An original song, "An Ode to Macao," debuted with Macao singers Xia Xianhai and Wang Xi.

Zhang Tianyu, head of the Zhuhai Traditional Chinese Orchestra, said the concert adheres to the topic of integrated Zhuhai-Macao development in both its contents and forms. Audience member surnamed Tian agreed, saying the concert provided a closer look at the cultural integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

A concert host, Du Cunzhong of the Macao Cheong Hong Music Club, expressed hope that more cultural communication and cooperation would be carried out between Zhuhai and Macao in the future.