The Malysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) will first perform Concerto Grosso in C – Alexander’s Feast, composed by George Frideric Handel. The Haydn extravaganza begins when the orchestra presents Sinfonia Concertante in B flat, a work which premiered in 1792. This performance will feature the MPO’s very own Markus Gundermann (on violin), Simon Emes (oboe), Csaba Körös (cello) and Alexander Lenkov (bassoon).

Next, the MPO will perform Haydn’s Notturno No.3 in C. And finally, the orchestra will enthral audiences with Haydn’s Symphony No.100 in G – Military, first performed in 1794 at London’s Hanover Square Rooms.

All MPO performances will be directed by Swedish conductor Ola Rudner, who has collaborated with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma.

There will be Pre-Concert Events on Saturday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 2pm. For further details, please call the Encounter Hotline (03-20517688),

Ticket prices: Friday and Saturday – RM95, RM75, RM55, RM25; Sunday – RM85, RM65, RM40, RM20. For bookings, please call 03-20517007/ Fax 03-20517077/ e-mail: dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my.

There will also be a chamber concert by the MPO at DFP, KLCC, on Feb 24 at 6.30pm. The ensemble will present String Quartet No.13 in A minor, composed by Franz Schubert and Piano Quintet in E flat major (Op.44) composed by Robert Schumann. Tickets are priced at RM10 for all seating categories. For bookings, contact the box office (03-20517007/ fax 03-20517077/ email: dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my).

Whether it’s two lovers or a mentor and apprentice, each 2someS is tied together by an intense personal conflict that makes it a riveting watch.

Abdul Qahar Aqilah is featured in 2someS: The Life in the Theatre.

Hamlet and Ophelia express the infinite variety of their passion for each other in a work which takes the form of letters in verse. Renowned British playwright, Steven Berkoff’s play – The Secret Love Life of Ophelia – charts the lovers’ story beneath the surface of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It features Alfred Loh and Sharon Lam.

In a series of short, spare, and increasingly raw exchanges, A Life in the Theatre showcases the estrangement of youth from age and the wider, inevitable, endlessly cyclical rhythm of the world. It features Malik Taufiq and Abdul Qahar Aqilah.

The Bench features Tan Eng Heng and Ling Tang and revolves around a married man who keeps lusting to fulfil his desires and a married woman who hungers for true love. It is performed in Cantonese with English subtitles.

The show is presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre from Feb 26 till March 8 at Pentas 2, KLpac, Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan, Kuala Lumpur.

Ticket prices: RM25 / RM15 (students, senior citizens and the disabled). Showtimes vary for the different shows, call the box office (03-40479000) for details or visit www.klpac.org.

Among the anxious people determined to earn a place at the finals are Reiko Akagi, an enka (traditional Japanese pop) singer without much reputation and Keisuke Araki, a father of four kids who is now unemployed. And there are other keen participants with their share of personal problems who are desperate to give the contest a shot. This movie stars Shigeru Murai, Kohei Otomo, Isao Bito, Ayumi Ito.