The 19th Beijing Music Festival is poised to become the grandest musical event in China this year.
To be held from October 9 to 29, the 21-day event will showcase performances from artists representing different genres, including opera, ethnic, solo, crossover and symphony. Side events will also see dialogues, lectures and mini performances.
Yu Long will be directing the event, which carries the theme "Musical Legacy and Innovation." At a press conference last week, Long revealed that about 30 performances are lined up this year.
According to CCTV.com, the China NCPA Orchestra and Chorus will kick off the festival, with maestro Lyu Jia leading the group. This will mark as the first collaboration between the NCPA and BMF.
Per tradition, the festival will witness world-class operatic performances. For this year, the BMF will see the Chinese opening of Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The premiere doubles as a tribute to William Shakespeare's 400th death anniversary.
"This musical recount of Shakespeare's masterpiece is one of the most successful operatic adaptations of the play and one of the most popular operas of the 20th century," Long told CCTV.
"This is the first time that it has been performed in China, and it's the starting point of the 5-year collaboration between the Beijing Music Festival and the Festival d'Aix en Provence," Long added.
Another event highlight is the unique rendition of Mozart's "Giovanni," an opera masterpiece that will combine state-of-the-art visual effects and theatrical elements.
Concert-goers will likewise be treated to a mini opera in 3D with "Blank Out," which will be directed by the Netherlands' Michelle van der Ar.
Launched in 1998, the BMF is home to several historical performances, including the Asian debut of Guo Wenjing's "Ye Yan" and "Wolf Club Village" operas and Alban Berg "Lulu."
"It's been 19 years since the Beijing Music Festival was launched. It's not easy. We've come a long way and there's still a long long way to go. So I'd like to say thanks to all the people who have supported us for so many years," Long said.