The opera "La Traviata" to commemorate the famous Italian composer Giuseppe Fortunino F. Verdi, who died in 1901, kicked off the 15th Macao International Music Festival Friday night.

The classic opera will be staged at the Macao Cultural Center in the coming four days. World renowned singers, accompanied by the Italian International Orchestra, will present brilliant performances of this opera in the characteristic European style.

During the 24-day festival, audience will have chances to enjoy first-class operas, concerts, ballets, orchestral pieces and pop songs.

Participating music bodies will include London's BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Boys' Choir, the Haydn String Quartet of Austria and the Italian International Orchestra.

The event, featuring 21 colorful performances, will be the most splendid music festival in Macao, said Ho Lai Chun, president of the Cultural Institute.

The festival is expected to give a shot in the arm to Macao's tourism business.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/28/2001)