Concerts aplenty in China as the New Year begins

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In recent years, it has become a tradition for the main performing centers and concert halls in China to hold New Year concerts, while an increasing number of Chinese residents prefer to immerse themselves in music during the year-end.

Shanghai Grand Theater has held a year-end concert since 2014, and this year, they have invited Estonian American conductor Neeme Järvi to join hands with the symphony orchestra and chorus of Shanghai Opera House in performing Gustav Mahler's “version” of “Symphony No. 9” by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The concert will be held on December 31 and tickets have already been sold out.

Conductor Neeme Järvi. /VCG Photo

However, in order to allow more music enthusiasts to see the show, the concert will be broadcast live through Tencent Video. Everyone around the world, as long as they have access to the internet, will be able to receive a New Year's treat from Shanghai.

On December 30, Järvi and Estonian soprano Elina Nechayeva are expected to perform several opera selections, including the classical arias from “The Magic Flute”, “Lakmé”, “The Tales of Hoffmann” and “Gianni Schicchi.”

In Beijing, the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) will ring in the New Year with domestic and foreign music and songs.

Conductor Neeme Järvi and soprano Elina Nechayeva pose for a photo at a press conference in Shanghai. /VCG Photo

The annual NCPA New Year's Chime Concert, to be held at 11 p.m. December 31, will be conducted by President of China National Symphony Orchestra Zhang Yi and presented by mezzo-soprano Zhu Huiling and the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra.

Audiences will be treated to melodies including Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 by Antonin Dvorak, The Song of the Seven Sons by Li Haiying and Habanera from opera Carmen.

A sunset view of the The National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing. /VCG Photo

The NCPA 2019 New Year's Concert will give an afternoon and evening performance on January 1. The concert will present the China NCPA Orchestra and the China NCPA Chorus under the baton of NCPA artistic director of music Lyu Jia, along with other artists.

The concert will offer a kaleidoscope of festive programs ranging from an excerpt from China's Kunqu opera "Palace of Eternal Life" to Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Major, Movement III. Presto.

(With inputs from Xinhua.)