The China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) will tour Europe from Oct. 17 to Nov. 5, giving 11 concerts in three countries, sources with the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) said in Beijing Thursday.
Headed by Yu Songlin, more than 100 musicians of the orchestra will give performances in Germany, Spain and Portugal. This is the troupe's second visit to Europe since 1998.
Well-known Chinese conductor Chen Zuohuang, now living in the United States, will appear as a guest conductor, joining hands with the orchestra's resident conductor Li Xincao.
The first concert will be held in Berlin celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-German diplomatic ties. The performance will include an ancient Chinese poem accompanied by music, a Peking Opera in the form of a symphony, the Liangzhu (Butterfly Lovers) violin concerto, and some masterpieces by Johannes Brahms and Rachmaninov.
According to the organizer, the CNSO's European tour is part of its 2002-2003 world tour. The orchestra will also visit Tokyo and Sydney from the end of September to early October.
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2002)