Amid trade disputes between China and the United States, the Philadelphia Orchestra is expecting to further improve cooperation with the former as it aims to help strengthen ties between the two countries.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, President, and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Matias Tarnopolsky said, "Forty years of diplomatic relations between the United States and China is an incredibly significant moment in both our countries' histories."
Tarnopolsky added that the orchestra's bond with Chinese audiences could be a good start for improving diplomatic relations. He believes that the musical group has a "responsibility to continue to build on those connections" and to further strengthen the bond that was first made possible because of cultural links.
The first historical breakthrough that linked China to the world-renowned musical group took place over 45 years ago. The orchestra made its first trip to the country and since then, an enduring partnership with the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing was forged.
The Philadelphia Orchestra has also been collaborating with the Shanghai Media Group Performing Arts Division and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.
On May 16-28, the American musical troupe will make its 12th tour in China. The musical tour was organized in celebration of the 40th year of China-U.S. relations and will include five cities: Tianjin, Hangzhou, Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai.
The tours will feature Shanghai-born pianist Haochen Zhang as a soloist, who is fresh from his Paris performance in December. Zhang is popular in the music industry as he has performed in many countries ever since he bagged the gold at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, The Philadelphia Orchestra's music director, expressed his excitement for the upcoming collaboration. According to Opera Wire, he said this year's tour "marks the deepening of our relationship with China and its music lovers."
For Nézet-Séguin, this venture will help forge stronger and more meaningful connections that could establish a common ground for other China-U.S. programs to reap lessons from.
Soprano Lei Jia is set to perform "The Deer of Nine Colors" and Lu Qiming's "Hong Qi Song" will also be part of the musical list. The troupe will perform Schubert's Symphony in C major, Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody featuring China's own Zhang, and Sibelius's Symphony No. 2.
Finally, a Tan Dun vocal concerto will also make its world premiere during the U.S. orchestra's May tour. Interested artists and performers are encouraged to join the New York City auditions that will run from February 2-3.
