The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) today announces its highly anticipated return to China with a tour that will take place from 8-18 August, 2024.
The tour marks the RPO’s first visit to China with Music Director Vasily Petrenko and its first tour of the country since the COVID-19 pandemic, under the auspices of Armstrong International Music and Arts and Poly Armstrong International Arts Communication Co., Ltd.
With concerts in Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Changsha, Wuhan and Nanjing, the Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko will perform repertoire comprising a rich blend of British, Chinese and Russian music, including works by Benjamin Britten, Tan Dun, Guan Xia, Shostakovich and Rimsky-Korsakov. The tour will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of Guan Xia's opera "Mulan" with a specially arranged orchestral suite from the opera.
Acclaimed violinist Ray Chen will join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko on tour, performing Korngold’s Violin Concerto, which will coincide with the release on the Deutsche Grammophon label of his new recording of the concerto, also with the RPO.
Despite its absence, in recent years the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has forged a number of unique partnerships with cultural institutions in China, enhancing cultural exchange and accessibility to orchestral music across the country. Partnerships include:
- National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Beijing: The Orchestra will perform two concerts at NCPA with whom it last year signed a new MOU forging closer partnership between the two organisations. This new collaboration will see RPO musicians and staff working in partnership with musicians from NCPA’s own orchestra.
- Partnership with Beijing Poly Theatre Management Co. Ltd: Following the partnership signing attended by the British Ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson DCMG, the RPO’s visit to Beijing will mark the start of a multi-year collaboration with Beijing Poly Theatre Management Ltd designed to widen access to great orchestral music across China.
- Return to Shanghai Concert Hall: in 2004 the RPO had the honour of reopening the Shanghai Concert Hall and in 2024 the Orchestra will return to mark the 20th
Huw Davies, Acting Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra commented: “It is a tremendous honour for the RPO to be returning to China after a long absence. Throughout its history the Orchestra has toured to China, and the seeds of partnerships have been planted with many of China’s most prestigious and influential cultural institutions. We are excited by the possibilities that these partnerships present, and look forward to establishing new ones, strengthening our cultural connections and bringing the joy of orchestral music to audiences across China."
Vasily Petrenko, Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, added: “Music has a unique ability to communicate and transcend language barriers, bringing people of different countries and cultures together, and our tour programmes exemplify this power. These efforts are crucial in strengthening our bonds and symbolising the enduring power of connection and collaboration through music."
Wray Armstrong, Chairman of Armstrong Music and Arts, stated: "Armstrong Music and Poly Armstrong's team, in cooperation with Poly Theatre Group, is proud to have arranged this prestigious tour to China's leading cities and concert halls for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Petrenko after such a long absence. Our firm's theme is "Empowering Culture", and we firmly believe that this tour builds on the cultural bridges being established between the UK and China."
Concert Schedule:
Vasily Petrenko conductor
Ray Chen violin
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
8 August: Beijing (NCPA)
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes; Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
9 August: Beijing (NCPA)
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes
Tan Dun: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Suite
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
10 August: Shanghai (Shanghai Concert Hall)
Guan Xia: Mulan Psalm: Potpourri
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
11 August: Shanghai (Shanghai Concert Hall)
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes
Tan Dun: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Suite
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
12 August: Shenzhen (Shenzhen Poly Theatre)
Guan Xia: Mulan Psalm: Potpourri
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
14 August: Xiamen (Jiageng Arts Centre)
Guan Xia: Mulan Psalm: Potpourri
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
16 August: Changsha (Changsha Concert Hall)
Guan Xia: Mulan Psalm: Potpourri
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
17 August: Wuhan (Qintai Concert Hall)
Guan Xia: Mulan Psalm: Potpourri
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
18 August: Nanjing (Jiangsu Grand Theatre)
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade