Staging a return

Adapting a most acclaimed novel in Chinese literature to a theater production was a risky move, he says, but it was done together. "The show is created by theater workers and audiences."

On Sept 4, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra kicked off its 2021-22 season with a concert, titled The Song of the Earth, performed under the baton of Yu Long, music director of the company. The concert consisted of Gustav Mahler's song symphony Das Lied von der Erde, and a new composition by Chinese musician Ye Xiaogang using ancient Chinese poems Mahler set his music to.

Yu says the season's opening work "explores a new depth in ancient Chinese literature in world culture", adding "the new Chinese interpretation can present the subtle and rich meaning of the original Chinese text in Mahler's song better" and create dialogue between Chinese and Western cultures.

With more than 40 concerts featuring a wide range of topics and themes scheduled for 2021-22, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra has introduced one of the most colorful music seasons, Yu says.

"As a professional symphony this is our way of keeping the normal pace of work. You have to keep rehearsing and striving for excellence," Yu says.

The silver lining in the dark cloud of the pandemic is that young Chinese artists have come up as they have had more opportunities to play, he adds.

"Audiences are drawn back to the concert hall, because watching shows on the web is nothing like attending a real concert."

The Shanghai Oriental Art Center also kicked off its 2021-22 performing season on Sept 9, with a concert of three Chinese tenors: Wei Song, Warren Mok and Dai Yuqiang. Another well-known tenor, Shi Yijie, will join pianist Chen Sa to present a concert of Chinese art songs on Jan 14. He Hui, the celebrated soprano, will give a recital on Dec 5.

The Rainbow Chamber Singers, a chorus group that is popular among younger audiences in China, will present a series of concerts at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center during the National Day holiday in October, as well as on New Year's Day and on Jan 15-16.

A range of theater productions, from dramatic adaptations of literary classics to ballets and Chinese dance theater shows will be presented during the new season at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. The center will also host its first outdoor music festival at the Century Park in October, when traditional folk artists, such as Kunqu Opera singer Zhang Jun and Pingtan artist Gao Bowen, will perform alongside modern pop and jazz singers.