Latest news with #ShanghaiSymphonyOrchestra
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's Landmark 2026 Tour Of New Zealand, Australia And Singapore
Press Release – 818. In a historic collaboration of Eastern and Western traditions, China's pioneering Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is set to tour New Zealand, Australia and Singapore in March. The Orchestra will be led by its renowned Music Director, Long Yu – hailed by The New York Times as 'the most powerful figure in China's classical music scene.' Founded in 1879, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Asia's oldest orchestra and a driving force in shaping China's classical music landscape across three centuries. It is internationally recognised for its performance on the Oscar and Grammy-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack – a landmark moment in Chinese musical history. The Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival. The 2026 tour features works by two of China's most prominent contemporary composers: Elliot Leung, the youngest-ever recipient of the 2023 Huabiao Award for Outstanding Composer, and Qigang Chen, praised by The Guardian for achieving a 'sustained dialogue between Chinese and Western classical and cultural traditions.' These are presented alongside works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, performed by celebrated soloists Jian Wang (cello) and Serena Wang (piano), who makes her Australasian debut. A vibrant centrepiece of the program is Leung's Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours – an evocative ten-movement suite, with each piece inspired by a traditional Chinese dish. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Long Yu said: 'It is an honour to be embarking on this special tour with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in March 2026. As Asia's oldest symphony orchestra, SSO has undertaken many important international tours throughout its 146 year history. This tour marks the Orchestra's return to Australia and New Zealand, in addition to its Singapore debut. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and we are glad to be sharing the stage with two internationally-acclaimed Chinese musicians for this tour – cellist Jian Wang and pianist Serena Wang – to perform a programme of Chinese and Western music. We are particularly looking forward to introducing audiences to Elliot Leung's symphonic suite 'Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' – a work commissioned and premiered by SSO last year – in addition to Qigang Chen's piano concerto 'Er Huang', as they celebrate the profound depth of Chinese culture.' Bernie Haldane, Kaitohu Toi Artistic Director, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival said: 'We are honoured to welcome the world-renowned Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to Tāmaki Makaurau for this special New Zealand exclusive, in partnership with our esteemed colleagues in Australia and Singapore. This marks the first time in more than 25 years that an international symphony orchestra will perform in our city — a momentous occasion for our audiences and arts community. We're especially looking forward to sharing a selection from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours, a piece that reflects Chinese culture through music — a powerful reminder of how music can connect us across borders and traditions.' Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CEO Richard Wigley said: 'The MSO has a long tradition of partnering with our orchestral friends and colleagues in Asia and beyond. It's wonderful to be able to present this tour of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra alongside co-presenters Sydney Opera House, Auckland Arts Festival and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. This will be a truly cross-cultural program showcasing the extraordinary history of Chinese musicians performing eastern and western compositions.' Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: 'At the Sydney Opera House, we believe in the transformative power of creative collaboration. This tour from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is an opportunity to connect more deeply with the community around us and also with our friends across the region. It's been three decades since we've seen these formidable musicians in Sydney, and I'm looking forward to hearing them perform in our upgraded Concert Hall for the first time. Kenneth Kwok, CEO of Singapore Symphony Group said: 'We are delighted to partner the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra on their tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. This collaboration deepens the cultural ties between Singapore and Shanghai – two dynamic global cities with enduring connections. Long Yu has been a long-time friend of the SSO, and we warmly welcome him and the orchestra for their debut performance in Singapore. I look forward to hearing them at the Esplanade Concert Hall.' The tour is organised by the award-winning classical music agency Askonas Holt, who have been bringing the world's greatest orchestras to audiences around the world for decades, and next year celebrate their 150th anniversary.' The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra 2026 Program and Tour AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL The Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall Visit to join the waitlist for access to presale tickets. Thursday 19 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 (soloist: Serena Wang) Friday 20 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 Tickets from $81 + transaction fee, with $20 child tickets available Patrons, Subscribers & Members pre-sale: Tuesday 22 July, 10am AEST Waitlist pre-sale: Thursday 24 July, 10am AEST General Public on sale: Friday 25 July, 10am AEST Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 SINGAPORE Monday 23 March 2026 – Esplanade Concert Hall Tickets from $30 + booking fee Available from 19 September 2025, on
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's Landmark 2026 Tour Of New Zealand, Australia And Singapore
In a historic collaboration of Eastern and Western traditions, China's pioneering Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is set to tour New Zealand, Australia and Singapore in March. The Orchestra will be led by its renowned Music Director, Long Yu – hailed by The New York Times as 'the most powerful figure in China's classical music scene.' Founded in 1879, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Asia's oldest orchestra and a driving force in shaping China's classical music landscape across three centuries. It is internationally recognised for its performance on the Oscar and Grammy-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack – a landmark moment in Chinese musical history. The Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival. The 2026 tour features works by two of China's most prominent contemporary composers: Elliot Leung, the youngest-ever recipient of the 2023 Huabiao Award for Outstanding Composer, and Qigang Chen, praised by The Guardian for achieving a 'sustained dialogue between Chinese and Western classical and cultural traditions.' These are presented alongside works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, performed by celebrated soloists Jian Wang (cello) and Serena Wang (piano), who makes her Australasian debut. A vibrant centrepiece of the program is Leung's Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours – an evocative ten-movement suite, with each piece inspired by a traditional Chinese dish. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Long Yu said: 'It is an honour to be embarking on this special tour with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in March 2026. As Asia's oldest symphony orchestra, SSO has undertaken many important international tours throughout its 146 year history. This tour marks the Orchestra's return to Australia and New Zealand, in addition to its Singapore debut. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and we are glad to be sharing the stage with two internationally-acclaimed Chinese musicians for this tour – cellist Jian Wang and pianist Serena Wang – to perform a programme of Chinese and Western music. We are particularly looking forward to introducing audiences to Elliot Leung's symphonic suite 'Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' - a work commissioned and premiered by SSO last year - in addition to Qigang Chen's piano concerto 'Er Huang', as they celebrate the profound depth of Chinese culture." Bernie Haldane, Kaitohu Toi Artistic Director, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival said: "We are honoured to welcome the world-renowned Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to Tāmaki Makaurau for this special New Zealand exclusive, in partnership with our esteemed colleagues in Australia and Singapore. This marks the first time in more than 25 years that an international symphony orchestra will perform in our city — a momentous occasion for our audiences and arts community. We're especially looking forward to sharing a selection from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours, a piece that reflects Chinese culture through music — a powerful reminder of how music can connect us across borders and traditions." Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CEO Richard Wigley said: 'The MSO has a long tradition of partnering with our orchestral friends and colleagues in Asia and beyond. It's wonderful to be able to present this tour of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra alongside co-presenters Sydney Opera House, Auckland Arts Festival and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. This will be a truly cross-cultural program showcasing the extraordinary history of Chinese musicians performing eastern and western compositions.' Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: 'At the Sydney Opera House, we believe in the transformative power of creative collaboration. This tour from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is an opportunity to connect more deeply with the community around us and also with our friends across the region. It's been three decades since we've seen these formidable musicians in Sydney, and I'm looking forward to hearing them perform in our upgraded Concert Hall for the first time. Kenneth Kwok, CEO of Singapore Symphony Group said: 'We are delighted to partner the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra on their tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. This collaboration deepens the cultural ties between Singapore and Shanghai - two dynamic global cities with enduring connections. Long Yu has been a long-time friend of the SSO, and we warmly welcome him and the orchestra for their debut performance in Singapore. I look forward to hearing them at the Esplanade Concert Hall.' The tour is organised by the award-winning classical music agency Askonas Holt, who have been bringing the world's greatest orchestras to audiences around the world for decades, and next year celebrate their 150th anniversary.' The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra 2026 Program and Tour AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL The Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall Visit to join the waitlist for access to presale tickets. Thursday 19 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 (soloist: Serena Wang) Friday 20 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 MELBOURNE Friday 13 March 2026 – 7.30pm, Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Visit Tickets from $81 + transaction fee, with $20 child tickets available Patrons, Subscribers & Members pre-sale: Tuesday 22 July, 10am AEST Waitlist pre-sale: Thursday 24 July, 10am AEST General Public on sale: Friday 25 July, 10am AEST Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 SYDNEY Sunday 15 March 2026 – Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Visit Tickets from $69 + booking fee Insiders pre-sale: Tuesday 22 July, 9am AEST What's On pre-sale: Wednesday 23 July, 9am AEST General public on sale: Friday 25 July, 9am AEST Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 SINGAPORE Monday 23 March 2026 – Esplanade Concert Hall Tickets from $30 + booking fee Available from 19 September 2025, on
South China Morning Post
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Hong Kong debut of Aaron Zigman's Émigré completes an emotional journey
American film composer Aaron Zigman's musical drama Émigré, about Jewish refugees in Shanghai in the late 1930s, will make its Hong Kong debut in an updated version that its composer says will 'complete' an emotional journey that began in 2019. Advertisement That was the year prominent Chinese conductor Yu Long invited Zigman, who is classically trained, and lyricists Mark Campbell and Brock Walsh to take part in the Émigré project, a joint commission by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Zigman is known for writing the music for more than 60 Hollywood films – including the 2004 box office hit The Notebook and the 2008 film version of Sex and the City – and for writing and arranging popular albums for musical legends such as Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. It took over three years for Zigman to complete Émigré and it only happened after he finally made his first visit to Shanghai, in 2023, amid growing Sino-US tensions. He fell in love with the city as soon as he landed, he says. 'Never in my life have I ever sat in a park and seen people at [5.30pm] dancing in a park, and in perfect synchronicity also doing tai chi,' he tells the Post. 'That was the inspiration for one of the pieces in the second act that I wrote.' The audience applauds performers after the global premiere of Émigré in Shanghai, China, in November 2023. Photo: Weibo/jinjin Premiering in Shanghai in November 2023, followed by performances in New York and Berlin, Émigré is a love story between a Jewish man – who was among tens of thousands of Jews who fled Nazi Germany for Shanghai – and a local Chinese woman.
