Summer Rhythm: 'Music in the Summer Air' announced in Shanghai

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01:49

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra has announced the line-up for the annual "Music in the Summer Air" festival that will open on July 1st. The two-week festival features classical music, jazz, opera and pop.

A 74-year-old man surnamed Dong was the first to get the tickets for the opening concert by the New York Philharmonic on July 1st.

"Music is very important to me and my family. I booked tickets every year for the festival to enjoy the concerts."

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the organizer said there are 24 concerts in total including a concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Velvet Underground's debut that sold out in 15 minutes. The highly influential New York group was never a hit here during their heyday in the late 60s, but original member John Cale has proven a surprisingly big ticket draw.

Another big draw is Academy Award winner Alexander Desplat who composed soundtracks for the award-winning film 'The Shape of Water", and Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel".

Because tickets were sold out very quickly, organizer decided to live stream some of the concerts for people who can't be there in person.

ZHOU PING, DIRECTOR SHANGHAI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA "We have 14 out of 24 concerts that will be live streamed on online platforms such as Tencent and Youku. The tickets have been a long time problem, because the venue only has 1,200 seats, a lot of people can't get the tickets. So we hope to use this way to let more people see it."

All the tickets are already on sale online. Prices range from 100 to 600 yuan. SUN CAIQIN, ICS FOR CGTN, SHANHGAI