Music fans head for breath of fresh air

Classical performances

On July 25, classical musicians, including pianist Zhang Haochen, conductor Yang Yang and the NCPA Orchestra, performed at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The program featured Rachmaninov's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 2 in C Minor and the composer's Symphonic Dances.

The performance was the first held at the iconic venue since the emergence of the pandemic. Although only 30 percent of the seats could be used, the concert attracted more than 33 million views online.

More shows have been or are being staged at the venue this month, including a gala by the National Ballet of China on Aug 6 and Aug 7, a concert by pipa player Wu Yuxia on Aug 13, and Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House by the NCPA Drama Ensemble from Aug 25 to Aug 30.

Before taking the baton to lead the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in a performance at the Forbidden City Concert Hall on July 31, conductor Li Biao said, "For musicians, it's not a complete performance without audience applause."

The concert featured Ode to the Red Flag, composed by noted musician Lyu Qiming in 1965, the second movement of Dvorak's Symphony No 9 "From the New World" and the second movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major. It was the orchestra's first live performance for 188 days.

"As our first live concert since the novel coronavirus outbreak, it was very special and meaningful to us," said Li, who was appointed the orchestra's chief conductor in December after a successful career elsewhere as a conductor and percussion soloist.

"We hope to send a resounding message with this concert that live classical music has returned to the stage."

Li added that a full summer festival program is planned for this month, with some 30 live concerts being staged in Beijing, Tianjin and cities in Hebei.

Also on July 31, the Jingju Theatre Company of Beijing staged its first show at Chang'an Grand Theatre since the viral outbreak. The program featured Peking Opera artists, including Du Zhenjie and Chi Xiaoqiu, performing the classic piece Hong Zong Lie Ma. The company said tickets sold out within two hours and 95 percent of those attending were young people.

This month, the company will premiere a contemporary Peking Opera piece in memory of Li Dazhao (1889-1927), a founding member of the Communist Party of China.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn