Our Music Director
Lim Yau!
Singapore-born Lim Yau is Resident Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Singapore Symphony Chorus, a newly created dual appointment he assumed in January 2001. Previously, he served the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as Associate Conductor and Chorus Master (1981-1997). In 1997 he became Music Director of the Singapore Lyric Opera and in 1998, founded the Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, which soon developed into an outstanding ensemble. He was also the Principal Guest Conductor of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus from 1993 to 1997.
Lim Yau Interview with the Straits Times 16 June 2008
Notable recent performances include concerts and recordings with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of National Opera and Ballet, China, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Philippines Philharmonic, the State Philharmonic of Tirgu Mures, Satu Mare and Constanta in Romania, the State Symphony of Krasnayarsk, the Russian Philharmonic, The Philippines Madrigal Singers, the Lund University Male Chorus, Sweden, as well as the Latvian State Choir.
Besides regularly conducting orchestras and choruses in Europe and Asia, Lim Yau is also active in Singapore systematically promoting opera, ballet, contemporary music and choral excellence. He has conducted no less than 20 opera and ballet productions for the Singapore Lyric Opera and Singapore Dance Theatre in works ranging from Britten to Verdi. A keen advocate of Singaporean composers, he has given first performances of more than 30 new compositions for opera, orchestra, chamber ensemble and a cappella chorus. His passion and enthusiasm for choral music led him to the formation of The Philharmonic Chamber Choir of Singapore (1994), which has emerged as one of the most prominent chamber choirs in the region, winning top prizes in the prestigious 19th international Bela Bartók Choir Competition in Hungary in July 2000.
Lim Yau graduated from the Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and also had the privilege of working under mentors such as Sergiu Celibidache in Munich and Franco Ferrara in Siena.
In recognition of his contribution to music in Singapore, Lim Yau was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1990.
You may reach Lim Yau through the Singapore Symphony Orchestra:
Singapore Symphonia Company Limited
11 Empress Place
Ground Floor, Victoria Concert Hall
Singapore 179558
Tel: +65 6338 1230
Fax: +65 6336 6382
ssonet@singnet.com.sg