The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra starts touring China from November 4th to November 20th, 2023. Under the baton of the legendary conductor Neeme Järvi, the Serbian orchestra will perform in concerts in Xi’an, Beijing, and Shanghai. In the light of the centennial celebration of the orchestra, the Belgrade Philharmonic has been honored with the opportunity to perform at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Culture&Art Center in Xi’an. Additionally, the orchestra will showcase a century of pride in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing and the magnificent hall of the Shanghai Grand Theatre.
The Chinese tour of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is the result of an initiative by its greatest friend, Maestro Zubin Mehta, aimed at supporting the international promotion of the orchestra in high-profile music centers, reserved only for the best among the best. Deeming that the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra deserves a place among the orchestral champions, Mehta invited the Philharmonic to jointly perform concerts in the world’s most prestigious halls. Unfortunately, however, Maestro had to cancel his participation due to his health conditions.
Nevertheless, the baton in front of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra in China will be taken by the legendary conductor Neeme Järvi, maestro who is a true icon and a leader in the world of conducting and music. With decades of brilliant career, including leading some of the most prominent orchestras and top-caliber soloists, as well as over 450 recorded performances, Järvi is one of the most respected conductors globally. In the centennial history of the Belgrade Philharmonic, the orchestra has performed three times with Maestro Järvi, while the concerts in China are happening after nearly 50 years.
The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra’s tour begins on November 8 in Xi’an, with the grand opening of the concert hall at the Belt and Road Culture&Art Center. This event is of exceptional significance for the city, known as the starting point of the Road of the Silk. Following that, on November 14, the orchestra will perform in Beijing at one of the world’s most impressive concert halls, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, as the main event of the International Orchestral Forum, which gathers representatives from the leading orchestras in the world. The tour culminates with a concert in Shanghai on November 18, in the Shanghai Grand Theatre, as part of the prestigious Shanghai International Festival.
On the China tour, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will perform with outstanding soloists, violin virtuosos Giovanni Zanon and Huang Mengla. The program will include works by Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Berlioz, and Beethoven.
