A gala concert titled "China meets West" was held Friday evening at the Palais des Nations, the headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, attracting more than 1,000 diplomats, international organization officials and local audience.
The concert, jointly sponsored by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN in Geneva and the UN headquarters in Geneva, was performed by some 60 artists from the China National Opera House, together with a few local European artists.
Chorus from China National Opera House perform during the concert "China meets West" in Geneva, Switzerland, November 2, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Chorus from China National Opera House perform during the concert "China meets West" in Geneva, Switzerland, November 2, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
The nearly 20 music works performed at the concert include arias from famous operas, Chinese and Western piano and violin pieces, and famous folk songs from China, Italy, Russia and some other countries.
Yu Jianhua, the Permanent Representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva, said after the concert that Chinese and Western musicians have teamed up to perform Chinese and Western classics, reflecting the openness and tolerance of Chinese culture and the mutual understanding of civilizations of all countries.
"This concert also shows the excellent situation of the harmonious development of China's socialist spiritual civilization and material civilization since the reform and opening-up, the blending and cultural prosperity of all ethnic groups," he noted.
Gao Wei, a tenor from China National Opera House, performs during the concert "China meets West" in Geneva, Switzerland, November 2, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Gao Wei, a tenor from China National Opera House, performs during the concert "China meets West" in Geneva, Switzerland, November 2, 2018. /Xinhua Photo
Zhao Yuan, the general art director and conductor of the concert, said that in this concert, famous Chinese songs like "My Motherland" and "On the Field of Hope" were warmly received by the audience, showing that culture is the best messenger.
"I believe this concert will definitely leave an important page in the hearts of many audiences," Zhao said.
(Cover: Musicians from China National Opera House perform during the concert "China meets West" in Geneva, Switzerland, November 2, 2018. /Xinhua Photo)
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency