Kinmen, Nov. 7 The annual Kinmen Tunnel Music Festival started Saturday in an old military tunnel that used to hold military vessels, with South Korean baritone Ilhun Jung making his first appearance at the event.
Held on floating stages in Zhaishan Tunnel, the two-day show in Jincheng Township will also include performances by several local artists such as soprano Jeannie Chiang (蔣啟真) and harmonica player Jang Li (李讓).
With the spreading COVID-19 pandemic, renowned cellist Chang Chen-chieh (張正傑) said "hope" is exactly what the world needs right now, and music will help spread that positive energy.
According to the cellist, who is also the festival's art director, Jung arrived in Taiwan as early as September to undergo the 14-day mandatory quarantine in preparation for his appearance at this year's event.
On Saturday, Jung performed with Chiang the popular duet "Là ci darem la mano" from the opera "Don Giovanni" and later a solo of the "Toreador Song" from French composer Georges Bizet's "Carmen."
The South Korean artist said he was taken aback by the tunnel's natural acoustic qualities and especially pleased to be part of the event.
This year also marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven, and having his music played on Saturday was a big treat, Chang said.
According to Kinmen National Park spokesman Cheng Jui-chang (鄭瑞昌), a total of 1,200 spectators are expected to attend the two-day festival, 70 percent of whom will come from Taiwan proper.
(Source of news: CNA)
