Series Outstanding Performances from China's National Art Troupes

The national art troupes of China 2011 are presenting a series of outstanding performances, from Aug 24 to Sept 26.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the event features 36 different shows, including operas, concerts and musicals. Some of the country's most important performing troupes, like the National Theater of China, China Oriental Performing Arts Group and China National Opera House, participate. Some of the performances are introduced as follows:

The Maestro: Earth Requiem China National Symphony Orchestra Concert Great Repertoire of National Art Ensembles 2011

Venue： Concert Hall, NCPA

Dates： Sept. 01, 2011

Duration： approximate 105 mins, intermission included

Price： VIP/480/420/360/260/180/80 RMB

Earth Requiem

I. Under the Starry Sky Meditation for orchestra and vocalist. The starry sky, which is so serene and remote, hangs over the earth and overlooks the miserable. Deep music sounds so sublime, solemn, tranquil and pregnant, representing weighty sorrow and sympathy.

II. Cosmic Winds and Fire Passacaglia for orchestra and vocalist. This is a dynamic section brimming with modern techniques and introspective songs, criticizing the ugly and hypocritical aspects of human nature and showing the revenge of nature.

III. Great Love Romance for orchestra, solo and chorus. In a romantic and suggestive way, this movement shows the touching and imposing scenes of solidarity, mutual help and great love that were demonstrated by Chinese people during Wenchuan Earthquake.

IV. Angel's Wings Ode for qiang flute, organ, orchestra, ensemble and chorus. Slow notes of Qiang music and the melodious tunes produced by Qiang flute create an extremely romantic aura, together with the songs from "pigeon trees". The leaves of pigeon trees, like heavenly wings of pigeons, carry the suffered souls to the ideal world in the splendid sunshine...

Conductor: Michel Plasson

Maestro Michel Plasson was born in a music family in Paris. He became the Music Director of Metz Opera in 1965 and the Conductor of Toulouse Opera in 1968. The operas such as Salome, The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, Aida, Faust and Carmen gain praise from international critical circles.

As an active pioneer of French music, Michel Plasson advocates to encourage the creation of modern music by consignment of new works. He also makes great contribution to the protection of artistic heritages in France. He records many important works for EMI Company together with Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse to discover a batch of obscure works worthy of reevaluation. Many of the works he records win many international prizes.

Performer: China National Symphony Orchestra

China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) is one of the most outstanding professional symphony orchestras in China. Originally founded as the Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China in 1956, the orchestra was restructured and renamed in 1996. Leading the CNSO into the future are Director Guan Xia (Composer), Principal Conductor Michel Plasson, Laureate Conductor Muhai Tang, Principal Resident Conductor Li Xincao, Principal Guest Conductor En Shao as well as Guest Conductor Chen Xieyang.

For almost half a century, the CNSO has introduced Chinese audiences to a vast repertoire of classical, romantic, modern and contemporary orchestral works by both Western and Asian composers. Throughout its history, the CNSO has collaborated with many world famous artists in order to bring excellence to its audiences. CNSO audiences have been thrilled by famous conductors such as Ormandy, Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Ozawa, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur, Slatkin, Rozhestvendsky, Schwarz and Peress. Other well-known guest artists have included composer and conductor Krzystof Penderecki, instrumentalists David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Mutter, Martha Argerich, Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Shaham, Wang Jian, Lang Lang, Li Yundi, Lin Choliang and Lindemann. The CNSO has toured throughout the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, Japan, DPR of Korea, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, giving successful performances to critical acclaim by the international press. In London, a music critic for The Times praised the CNSO as "a mature group with a vital sound". American music critics noted that "the CNSO is an honorable member of the world music stage". In Europe, critics headlined the orchestra as "a great orchestra appears among the Kings of Orchestral Music".