PENANG / BANGKOK — Penang’s premier classical music festival enters a new chapter in artistic excellence, cultural diplomacy, and regional impact. RondoFest 2025 has drawn to a powerful close, concluding a groundbreaking edition of Southeast Asia’s premier classical music festival that saw five transformative days in Penang and a historic international debut in Bangkok. From 3 to 7 June in Penang, and 8 to 11 June in Bangkok, the festival not only presented world-class performances but reaffirmed its vision: that cultural excellence can and must begin at home.
“Penang deserves a world-class performance venue. But to build one, we must first show that the art itself is world-class,” said Kenny Ooi, Founder and CEO of Rondo Production, in his Closing Gala speech. “Infrastructure follows excellence. And excellence begins with belief. This is why Rondo started and remains in Penang.”
RondoFest in Penang: Excellence Begins at Home
Held at Stonyhurst International School Penang, this year’s Penang programme featured 64 emerging musicians from 12 countries, selected through the festival’s first fully auditioned process — marking a bold shift toward greater artistic standards and international reach. The performances culminated in a sold-out Closing Gala on 7 June, where the Festival Orchestra — under the baton of the internationally acclaimed Tengku Irfan — delivered a moving and technically masterful programme.
Highlights included the Malaysian premieres of Jan Koetsier’s Brass Symphony and Prof Chan Wing-Wah’s Drum Dance, alongside Igor Stravinsky’s Suites for Small Orchestra and Schubert’s majestic Symphony No. 9 “The Great”. The audience response was resounding: energetic, emotional, and unanimous in its appreciation.
YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy states: “RondoFest has become a cultural jewel of Penang — a world-class festival that not only elevates classical music in Southeast Asia but also fuels our creative economy and global reputation. The Penang State Government is proud to support RondoFest, a shining example of how the arts can drive tourism, economic growth, and international recognition. With its expansion to Bangkok, RondoFest takes the spirit of Penang to the world — a bold step we wholeheartedly celebrate as part of our vision to champion Penang as a leading regional hub for arts and culture.”
The support and presence of community and industry leaders from across Malaysia’s arts and creative industries made this edition particularly memorable. With the backing of the Penang State Government, and international partners including the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, and ABRSM, the festival reaffirmed Penang’s cultural leadership within the region.
Bangkok Debut: A Bold Step into ASEAN
On 10 June, RondoFest 2025 made its long-awaited international debut in Bangkok, coinciding with Rondo’s 6th anniversary and Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship. Held at MACM Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol University, the performance brought the Festival Orchestra to a new audience — expanding the festival’s regional presence and celebrating musical diplomacy through cultural exchange.
The Bangkok concert showcased the same powerful programme, with an especially warm reception for Prof Chan Wing-Wah’s Drum Dance — marking its Thai premiere. The performance was attended by distinguished guests including Mr. Sathaporn Thiangtham, Inspector General of the Ministry of Culture of Thailand, and Dr. Narong Prangcharoen, Dean of the College of Music, further anchoring RondoFest’s standing within Southeast Asia’s artistic landscape.
More Than a Festival: A Movement
This year’s edition welcomed participants from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, and Venezuela, among others — demonstrating the festival’s increasingly global footprint. With over 160 applications, RondoFest 2025 showed not only growth in scale but also in artistic reputation and institutional trust.
“We took a risk by fully auditioning this year’s orchestra,” said Ooi. “The response blew us away—more applicants, higher standards, and a shared belief in what Rondo stands for. What we’re building here is much more than a concert series. It’s a platform for excellence, connection, and cultural leadership in Asia.”
Looking Ahead
As the echoes of the final notes fade, RondoFest 2025 leaves behind more than applause—it leaves a legacy of ambition, unity, and artistic conviction. With plans already underway for RondoFest 2026, the festival will continue pushing boundaries—connecting cultures, inspiring creativity, and advocating for the infrastructure and investment needed to sustain world-class artistry in Malaysia and beyond.
RondoFest 2025 is proudly supported by the Penang State Government, Penang State EXCO Office for Tourism and Creative Economy, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, ABRSM, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly Airlines, Starbucks Malaysia, College of Music, Mahidol University, Stonyhurst International School Penang, Jazz Hotel Penang, Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium, and Compana International.