“World In Tune” was the theme of the First
Initiative Foundation gala dinner, which was held
at the InterContinental Hong Kong. More than
350 guests enjoyed champagne and opera cakes
by Dalloyau in a garden-themed cocktail area
before entering the extravagant ballroom decked
out like a charming home replete with wallpaper
panels and illuminated centrepieces. Fancl was
the principal sponsor and charitable partner of
the gala, which raised funds to further the aims of
the foundation—to uplift Hong Kong at all levels
through celebrating and promoting education,
creativity and mentorship, and to harness the
power of music, art and design to unite and
support the community at large.
The evening’s theme was an apt choice, as
the gala joined a series of events under the
foundation’s World In Tune Initiative, including
An Evening with Renée Fleming (a recital before
an audience of 2,000 that took place the previous
evening), a Renée Fleming Masterclass, which
benefitted more than 200 of the foundation’s
students and teachers, and a soon-to-be-released
fundraising recording featuring Eason Chan, Lang
Lang and Renée.
In a brief welcoming address, chairwoman
Michelle Ong outlined the foundation’s progress
to date and thanked those present for their
support before presenting Renée and Leon Ko,
the composer who did the musical arrangement
for the recording, with the foundation’s Medal
of Merit for their continuing charitable efforts.
Then guests were treated to a stellar line-
up of entertainment. High points included
New Zealand songstress Hayley Westenra’s
rendition of the Kiwi classic Pokarekare Ana
accompanied by Chinese guitarist Yang Xuefei;
a performance by Singaporean musician Hanjin
Tan and the Metro Vocal Group, a Hong Kong-
based American a cappella ensemble; and an
exclusive preview performance of the anticipated
recording by Renée, Lang and Eason, who was a
recipient of the Medal of Merit last year.
A live auction also took place, with Jin Ling
of Christie’s as the energetic hammer wielder.
Lots that went for above their estimates included
a selection of wines donated by French luxury
wine club FICOFI, with Maggie Xia the winning
bidder, a Jacob & Co skeleton watch, which was
snapped up by financier Liu Yang, and a collection
of wines from Henry Tang’s cellar, which resulted
in a bidding war from which MTR Corporation
chairman Frederick Ma emerged victorious.FIRST INITIATIVE
FOUNDATION GALA DINNERPerfectly Tuned
Penny and David LiYang Xuefei and Hayley WestenraMichelle Ong-Cheung,
Eason Chan and
Renée FlemingStephen and Cecilia Ip244 hong kong tatler. september 2017