The Weaver, a Yueju opera production by Nanjing Yueju Opera Troupe of Jiangsu province, will hold its first show in Shanghai on April 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
From maestro conductor Zubin Mehta to Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti and principal dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet, Shanghai Oriental Art Center released a star-studded spring and summer show season of 48 theater productions on Tuesday.
This year marks the 20th birthday of the center, and a series of renowned conductors and orchestras are expected to join in the celebration. The legendary conductor Mehta made his first stage appearance at the center in 2009, playing with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
The 89-year-old maestro will conduct Orchestra Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino from Italy on July 30, presenting the closing concert of the season at the center. Mehta began to work as the principal conductor for Orchestra Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in 1985, and is now its Honorary Conductor for life.
Maestro Zubin Mehta will play at Shanghai Oriental Art Center with Orchestra Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino on July 30. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Hungarian conductor Adam Fischer will work with Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra from Germany to play Mahler's Symphony No. 9 on May 8. Russian conductor Nikolay Alexeev will join hands with St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Daniel Kharitonov on June 25 to present works of Dmitri Shostakovich. Some of the original manuscripts of the Russian composer will be brought to the center, and make their first Asian showcase in Shanghai.
Among the highlights of the annual showcase of outstanding Chinese folk opera productions at the center in March and April will be The Weaver, a Yueju opera production about Cao Xueqin (1715-1763), author of Dream of Red Mansions, one of the greatest classics of Chinese literature. The opera integrates stories and characters in the novel with the narrative about the author's real life. The production featuring woman Yujue opera artist Li Xiaoxu as the hero Cao Xueqin will make its Shanghai premiere on April 11.
