July 22, 2008
Each year the Macao International Music Festival brings internationally renowned artists from all over the world to Macao. Over the course of its decades-long history, it has gradually evolved into the major musical event in the territory. The MIMF seeks to promote a balanced range of performances in order to reflect the diversity and uniqueness of Macao. It also strives to enrich the cultural life of the region while meeting the expectations and aspirations of the community. This year’s programme embraces opera, symphonic, choral and chamber music, as well as contemporary, folk, pop and jazz music. Also offered is yet another dynamic encounter between East and West.
Headlining and opening the programme of the 22nd MIMF is a British orchestra with worldwide renown. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been for more than half a century “Britain’s national orchestra” and has upheld the vision of its founder, Sir Thomas Beecham, bringing world-class performances of the greatest music ever written to a growing public, both at home and on its many tours across the globe. On their maiden voyage to Macao, the musicians of the RPO are led by renowned Principal Guest Conductor Leonard Slatkin (5/10, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, 8pm).
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July 20, 2008
The big firms were on hand Wednesday to see through the off-again-on-again Hong Kong listing of Macau gaming magnate Stanley Ho’s SJM Holdings. Baker & McKenzie was retained as lead counsel for SJM with Linklaters and Shearman & Sterling Hong Kong and US counsel respectively for underwriters Deutsche Bank AG.
The float comes after a tumultuous few months for casino operator SJM in which its stock market debut was both postponed and downgraded. Market volatility, increased competition from US casino operators Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, and legal action brought by Ho’s estranged sister challenging the validity of the offer all contributed to delays and were also influential in derailing earlier forecasts that the IPO would raise US$1bn. Instead, this series of unfortunate events saw JSM settle for less than half of that, raising only US$494m.
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Posted in Macau Casino, STDM | SJM, Stanley Ho, Winnie Ho No Comments »
June 28, 2008
Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), the largest casino operator in Macau, started bookbuilding yesterday for an IPO that aims to bring in between HK$3.85 billion and HK$5.1 billion ($494 million and $654 million). If the deal is completed, it will be the third largest IPO in Hong Kong this year after China Railway Construction Corporation and Want Want China Holdings.
However, SJM has trimmed its expectations quite significantly since its most recent attempt to go public in January when it was testing the market for a deal of up to $1 billion.
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Posted in STDM | SJM, Stanley Ho, Venetian Macao, Winnie Ho No Comments »
June 7, 2008
Encouraged by the rapid gaming growth in Macau, neighbouring countries are lining up to try and cash in on the Asian appetite for wagering while experts predict casinos already operating in the region are likely to be hit by the new developments.
At the G2E Asia gaming conference presentations were given on no less than seven [...]
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June 7, 2008
Chan Meng Ieng, wife of imprisoned former Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) high-ranking official Ao Man Long was sentenced to 23 years in prison by the SAR’s Court of First Instance (TJB) Wednesday.
Chan along with three of Ao’s family members and three business associates were convicted of money laundering and bribery, according to the verdict. The trial of the case began in January this year.
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June 7, 2008
The planned title fight between Manny Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council super featherweight champion, and World Boxing Association champion Edwin Valero in Macau is off.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed that he had a long discussion with the Venetian Macao people and the problem was that in order to make a Pacquiao fight work—which needs to have pay-per-view television—the fights would have to be staged at around 10 or 11 a.m. on a Sunday morning in Macau.
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June 7, 2008
Poker machine maker Aristocrat Leisure has denied claims it faces a struggle to increase machine sales in Macau because gamblers prefer to play the card game baccarat.
Speaking from Asia’s biggest gambling conference in Macau this week, chief executive Paul Oneile said gamblers visiting the former Portuguese enclave were acquiring a taste for machines and were expected to become regular players.
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Posted in Crown Macau, Macau Gaming, Venetian Macao, Wynn Macau No Comments »
June 4, 2008
With a new title sponsor on board, Macau luxury residential development Windsor Arch, the Macau Grand Prix has announced an exciting new race programme for the 55th edition, to be held from November 13-16 this year.
Topping the bill for the Windsor Arch 55th Macau Grand Prix are: The Windsor Arch Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix, which is also the official FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup; the final round of the prestigious 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC), the Guia Race of Macau; and the unique Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.
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Posted in Grand Prix of Macau, Macau Events, Macau Sport No Comments »
