HKADC Expresses the Deepest Condolences over the Passing of Accomplished Soprano Barbara Fei

Accomplished soprano, Music Director and Conductor of the Allegro Singers, Ms Barbara Fei passed away last night. The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) expresses deep sorrow over the loss and extends its deepest condolences to Ms Fei’s family.

Ms Barbara Fei had been a Council Member of HKADC since its establishment in 1996 until the end of last year (1996-2006). She devoted herself to the development of arts and culture in Hong Kong, and constantly provided invaluable advice on HKADC’s projects and future development direction. Between 1996 and 1999, Ms Fei was the Chairman of HKADC’s Music and Dance Committee, while between 2000 and 2016, she was the Chairman of HKADC’s Music Group. She strived to promote the development of local music art. Besides supporting music groups and the development of music artists through pluralistic funding schemes and music activities of various types and scales, Ms Fei also conceived and implemented the first overseas large-scale music exchange project of HKADC in 2012, the “Manhattan Hong Kong Music Festival”, and launched the “History of Early Hong Kong Music Development (1930-50s)” publication project in 2016, which aimed to help the public to have a better understanding of Hong Kong music and its development.

Ms Barabra Fei committed whole-heartedly to a vocalist career for over 60 years. She completed her apprenticeship in vocal music with famous music educator, Prof Zhao Meibai. She then pursued further study in France to become specialised in vocal music. Upon returning to Hong Kong in the 1960s, she endeavoured to develop a career in the art of vocal music. She founded the Allegro Singers and assumed the role of Music Director and Conductor. The group toured around the world to introduce the richness of Chinese music art to international audiences. Between the 1970s and 80s, Ms Fei participated in the production and performance of Chinese ethnic operas. Ms Fei was also devoted to the work of music education. In 2000, she participated for the first time in the production of the first teaching textbook on Hong Kong modern music, providing a valuable teaching resource for music teachers and practitioners of the music education sector.

Ms Fei was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star and Silver Bauhinia Star in 2001 and 2012 respectively by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. She was appointed as a member of the National Committee of the China Federation of the Literary and Art Circles by the People's Republic of China Government in 2006 and was appointed Honorary Member in 2011. In 2008, 2010, and 2013 she was awarded The Honorary Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Institute of Education (the Education University of Hong Kong), and Hong Kong Baptist University respectively. She was also appointed as Member of the Artistic Advisory Board of the World Peace Choral Festival in Vienna in 2011. In 2013, she was awarded Hong Kong Women of Excellence in the Six Arts by the Hong Kong Federation of Women. Ms Fei served in many positions including Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Choral Societies, Chairman of the Hong Kong Ethnomusicology Society, and Senior Music Advisor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. She truly dedicated her whole life to the promotion of music art.

Ms Barbara Fei had made remarkable contribution to the development of Hong Kong music. Her departure is indisputably a great loss to the local arts community. Her accomplishment and devotion to the arts will be long remembered.

For the interview of Ms Barbara Fei, please visit: https://youtu.be/Wf0dI2AORUw