THE recent 'MPO Benefit Concert: Resonance For A Reason' was a roaring success, thanks to the collaboration of some of Malaysia's most talented singers and musicians led by conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.
Held at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, the event saw singers Datuk M. Nasir, Datuk Sheila Majid, Misha Omar, Amir Jahari and Aina Abdul in action, accompanied by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malaysian Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).
The inaugural benefit concert was organised to celebrate music's power to inspire, unite and transform people.
It was also a call to support the MPO's talent development programme and its role of nurturing appreciation for classical and local music among the youth and people from all walks of life.
Addressing the concertgoers before the concert began, Muriz thanked everyone for their support, especially the donors and patrons.
"Your presence tonight is testament to your commitment to the arts, which has created vital opportunities for the stars of this evening, the members of MPYO.
"Currently, MPYO has 47 members and 17 of them are here on the stage tonight, playing along with their mentors (from MPO)," he said.
Muriz also thanked the MPO, which "has been instrumental in the success of MPYO, as the guiding force to the youths through mentorship, and sharing expertise and experience in ensuring the growth of the young musicians."
The youngest member of MPYO at the concert that evening was 11-year-old Alistair Chew Yan Chern, who was on second violin.
Chew received a special mention by Sheila, in her speech after she sang the song 'Jentayu', a duet she performed with Aina.
The concert began with the orchestra playing the song 'Lagenda' as a prelude, after the mandatory homage to the national anthem.
The performance was followed by Amir who sang two songs: 'Kenangan' and 'Hasrat'.
Next was Misha, who began with 'Cinta Adam Dan Hawa', followed by 'Sampai Bila'.
She performed her popular number 'Bunga-Bunga Cinta' as the last number before she passed the baton to Aina who sang 'Puas Sudah', 'Kamu', and a medley of popular English songs, including 'Listen', 'At Last', 'You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman', 'Hero', 'When You Believe' and 'I Surrender'.
After the intermission, the orchestra played 'Ekspress Rakyat', as if giving the audience a clue which artiste was to come up onto the stage next.
Right on cue, Nasir took the stage to perform 'Suatu Masa' and 'Bonda', before he sang a medley of songs, including 'Hukum Karma' and 'Pawana'.
Aina and Sheila performed 'Jentayu' before the latter sang 'Gemilang' and a medley of 'Bila Larut Malam' and 'Jelingan Manja'.
Wrapping up the night, she then sang her evergreen uptempo song, 'Sinaran', to the delight of the 900-strong crowd who filled up the hall that evening.