Chi-Yuen Bobby CHENG is currently the Principal Oboe of l’Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, where he was appointed unanimously in 2016 under its musical director, Tugan SOKHIEV. Being a promising player in his generation, he appears regularly as guest principal oboe with Staatskappelle Dresden, BBC Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre National de France, l’Orchestre de Paris as well as London Symphony Orchestra. He has worked under the baton of Christian Thielemann, Sir Antonio Pappano, Francois-Xavier Roth, Sakari Oramo, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Klaus Makela, Lahav Shani, Tarmo Peltokoski among others.
In 2022, Chi-Yuen was awarded the “Young Artist Award” by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Later in the year he has also been named as faculty of the prestigious Asian Youth Orchestra, nurturing the younger Asian generation. He has also appeared as a recital soloist at LCSD “Our Music Talent” and “City Hall Virtuosi” series, respectively in 2015 and 2020. In 2011, Chi-Yuen has been chosen as one of the “Young Music Maker” programme, hosted by RTHK. A year later, he was sponsored by the Asian Cultural Council to attend the two-month intensive Aspen Music Festival and Schools.
As a soloist, he has performed with Macao Orchestra, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, as well as l’Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse. In 2018, he performed “Extase”, the concerto for Oboe by Qigang CHEN, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts at Beijing, upon an invitation by the composer himself. He has also given performances throughout Europe, the USA and in Asia.
During his studies, Chi-Yuen has participated in numerous local and international music competitions. His prizes include: 1st prize at the Fifth “Giuseppe Ferlendis” International Oboe Competition, Italy (2012); 1st prize in the Wind Concerto Competition at the Aspen Music Festival and School, USA (2012); 2nd prize at the 41st International Double Reed Society Oboe Competition, USA (2012); 2nd prize at the 9th Beijing Conservatory of Music Winds/Chamber Competition (Oboe Category), China (2011) and a 1st prize at the 1st International Asian Double Reed Association Oboe Competition, Thailand (2011).
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Chi-Yuen starts learning the oboe under the tutelage of Prof. Song-Lam YIU. He then graduated with “First Class Honours” and “Très bien avec félicitations du jury à l’unanimité”., respectively at the HKAPA in the class of YIU, and CNSMD Lyon in the class of Jean-Louis CAPEZZALI and Jérôme GUICHARD. He has performed in masterclasses for artists including François Leleux, Thomas Indermühle as well as Maurice Bourgue. He has also attended lessons with Jacques Tys.
Chi-Yuen is an artist of the renowned French brand Buffet Crampon; he plays on the “Legende Hybride” model oboe.