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 previous 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, Cristian Măcelaru, Klaus Mäkelä, Lahav Shani, Tarmo Peltokoski among others.

In 2022, Bobby was awarded the “Young Artist Award” by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. 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, Asia and in Australia.

Since summer 2022, Bobby has been faculty of the prestigious Asian Youth Orchestra, nurturing the younger Asian generation. He has also given masterclasses in Hong Kong, China, Japan, Thailand, France and Australia.

During his studies, Bobby has participated in numerous local and international music competitions. His prizes include: 1^st prize at the Fifth “Giuseppe Ferlendis” International Oboe Competition, Italy (2012); 1^st prize in the Wind Concerto Competition at the Aspen Music Festival and School, USA (2012); 2^nd prize at the41^st International Double Reed Society Oboe Competition, USA (2012); 2^nd prize at the 9^th Beijing Conservatory of Music Winds/Chamber Competition (Oboe Category), China (2011) and a 1^st prize at the1^st International Asian Double Reed Association Oboe Competition, Thailand (2011).

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Bobby 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 regular lessons with Jacques Tys.

Bobby is an artist of the renowned French brand Buffet Crampon; he plays on the “Légende Hybride” model oboe.

Find me on Buffet Crampon!