On May 24, 2025, Carnegie Hall in New York was gently embraced by the brilliant midday sun, its historic walls adorned with a dazzling golden glow. Inside the grand hall, resplendent and majestic, classical music lovers from around the world gathered with eyes full of anticipation, eager for a transcendent musical feast.

After two days of intense and efficient joint rehearsals in New York, the members of our NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir stood on the verge of a dream come true—stepping onto the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. With hearts brimming with excitement, we were ready for our moment to shine.

A Musical Gala – Celestial Echoes

At 1:00 PM Eastern Time, the concert officially began. Three distinguished conductors took the podium in succession, leading elite choral performers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, along with the internationally renowned New England Symphony Orchestra, in a breathtaking symphonic journey. Famed for its precise tone, rich textures, and commanding stage presence, the orchestra infused the entire concert with soul and an unparalleled sense of awe.

Chapter One: Vivaldi’s Gloria RV589
Conductor: Lisette Canton (Canada)

This twelve-movement Baroque masterpiece unfolded like a brilliant musical rainbow, bursting with luminous, fiery vitality. Brimming with artistic tension and radiant color, it remains an eternal classic in the collaboration between choir and orchestra.

Our Nevoce Philharmonic Choir had already performed this work in its entirety under the direction of Leo during our dedicated concert in April.

On the stage of Carnegie Hall, Professor Canton brought her precise, dynamic, and energetic conducting to bear, capturing every breath and pulse of the piece with exquisite finesse. Under her baton, the choir and orchestra came together to deliver a powerful interpretation, radiating the sacred brilliance and majestic grandeur embedded within the composition.

Chapter Two: Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore, KV 339
Conductor: Wenqian Liu (Malaysia/USA)

Composed in 1780, this late sacred work by Mozart features solemn yet graceful melodies that deeply express the composer’s devout spirituality and philosophical reflection on the inner struggles of the human soul.

Before departing for Carnegie Hall, the members of the Neovoce Philharmonic Choir, under the direction of Leo and with the guidance of Professor Lisette Canton, mastered this piece in just six rehearsals.

On the stage of Carnegie Hall, conductor Wenqian Liu led the choir in a remarkable performance that vividly conveyed the profound meaning of the composition.

The choirs performing these two works included:

• A choir from Illinois, USA, conducted by Wenqian Liu

• NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir from Canada, conducted by Leo Li

• A choir from California, USA, conducted by Yu Hang Tan

• A choir from Wisconsin, USA, conducted by Danielle Bridge

• The York University Choir from Canada, conducted by Professor Lisette Canton

Chapter Three: Mozart’s Requiem, KV 626
Conductor: Margaret Pride (Australia)

This immortal masterpiece, with its profound emotional depth and grand structure, touched the hearts of every listener. Conductor Margaret Pride, with her calm and commanding style, led the choir in a moving performance that conveyed the solemnity, compassion, and hope embedded within this timeless work.

Participating choirs included:

• A choir from Australia conducted by Michael Ryan

• A choir from Australia conducted by Alison Rogers

• A choir from Singapore conducted by Ai Ming Khor

• A choir from New York, USA, conducted by Ron DeFesi

As the final note resounded solemnly beneath the soaring dome of Carnegie Hall, thunderous applause and cheers erupted and echoed throughout the hall. The music and ovation intertwined, bearing witness to the resounding success of this audiovisual feast. Every beat, every harmonious resonance, etched our collective voice deep into the legacy of this great musical sanctuary.