Other Interests
Liao is an avid fan of performing arts and has actively been involved in producing theater productions and sponsoring various traditional Chinese artists from China to perform in New York City. Liao was the brainchild behind the largest Chinese opera production ever performed outside of Mainland China. The two-day weekend event, held on September 5–6, 2003, was billed as "SilkROAD2003: An Experience in Chinese Theater", led by one of the most popular modern Chinese opera stars, Li Baochun — son of one of the most acclaimed Chinese opera legends, Li Shaochun, and received a near sellout audience of over 5,000 plus at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. The production received a favorable review by New York Times acclaimed opera critic James R. Oestreich. Prior to the event, an average Chinese opera performance in North America did not exceed no more than 800 attendees per performance. SilkROAD2003 was co-produced by one of Liao's companies, Hydra Ventures, along with a family friend, Taiwan's billionaire tycoon Koo Chen-fu, and his non-profit foundation, called the Koo Foundation. For Liao's "important contributions he has made to the cultural life of New York City," as quoted by City Coucilman John Liu, the New York City Council offered to present Liao with a Proclamation. Liao politely declined to personally receive this honor and requested instead that the New York City government present the Proclamation to all of his colleagues at Hydra Ventures.
In January 2004, Liao was also involved in a musical production with the world renown cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, Silk Road Project, and Peabody Essex Museum in the presentation of "Creative Exchanges: Sights and Sounds of the Silk Road," a series of innovative performance, educational and cultural activities at PEM's newly transformed museum of art and culture. Additionally, Liao sponsored a popular Chinese opera artist, Wu Hsing-Kuo to perform the role of the Ying-Yang Master alongside with the opera legend, Placido Domingo in the international premier of "The First Emperor" opera production at the famed Lincoln Center Metropolitan Opera House. The First Emperor's production team included China's leading film director, Zhang Yimou and Academy Award composer, Tan Dun.
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