The Berlin Philharmonic can be seen worldwide in Taipei!

Written/Compiled and Reported by Wei Ruyi

After a six-year hiatus, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is finally returning to Taiwan for the second time. They are scheduled to perform “Opening Night” and “Voice of the King” at 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow (Nov. 18–19) at the National Concert Hall in Taipei. This time, the performances will also be simulcast outdoors at the Taipei Arena, the National Taiwan University of Sport Stadium, Hsinchu County Government Plaza, Taichung Dali High School, and the Hualien Arena, with HD live global streaming via satellite broadcast on the “Berlin Digital Concert Hall.”

Under the baton of Chief Conductor Sir Simon Rattle, the 145-member orchestra is embarking on an all-charter Asian tour (Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, and Japan). Taipei is the only city offering both local simulcasts and online streaming via the Berlin Digital Concert Hall. For the Nov. 18 concert, microphones flown in from Berlin will be used in the hall. Due to their high sensitivity, Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, lasting 80 minutes, will be performed without an intermission and latecomers will not be admitted.

The Berlin Philharmonic’s performances around the world have always been a major annual event for classical music lovers. Currently, the Berlin Digital Concert Hall is offering 48-hour valid vouchers. Interested individuals can register as members at www.digital-concert-hall.com, then select “Vouchers” and enter the code provided in the program brochure. Each registered member can use this code once, and the vouchers are valid until the end of December 2011.

Additionally, classical music enthusiasts interested in exploring the profound works of Mahler and Bruckner can watch two 15-minute introductory videos specially prepared by Chunghwa Telecom on “hichannel.” The inaugural digital edition of the official magazine “Performance,” themed around the Berlin Philharmonic, is now available for free download on iPads via the App Store—just search for the keyword “MNA.”

Currently, both Taipei Arena relay performances are sold out. Northern Taiwanese music lovers are advised to take convenient transportation to Hsinchu County Government Plaza to enjoy the outdoor broadcast on Saturday, Nov. 19. For the Hualien performance on Nov. 19, tickets must be reserved by calling the Hualien County Government Tourism and Public Affairs Division at 03-8230751.

[Synchronized Broadcast Performance Venues]

Nov. 18, 7:00 p.m.

Taipei Arena (No. 2, Section 4, Nanjing East Road, Taipei City)

National Taiwan University of Sport Stadium (No. 271, Lixing Road, North District, Taichung City)

Dali High School (No. 369, Dongrong Road, Dali District, Taichung City)

Hualien Arena (No. 23, Dagu Lake Bay Road, Hualien City)

Nov. 19, 7:00 p.m.

Taipei Arena (No. 2, Section 4, Nanjing East Road, Taipei City)

Hsinchu County Government Plaza (No. 10, Guangming 6th Road, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County)

Hualien Arena (No. 23, Dagu Lake Bay Road, Hualien City)