Conductor Valery Gergiev and his Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra was the first international orchestra to perform at the new venue, the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 25.
Before the main concert began, they performed “We Walk on a Wide Road,” a much beloved revolutionary song made famous during the Cultural Revolution, but still sung throughout China. RT reports: “The spirited, resounding melody brought the audience closer and instantly won a passionate cheer and applause for this special ‘gift’ to the Chinese audience.” The concert included pieces by Glinka, Debussy, Mussorgsky and Stravinsky.
“We are very much enjoying the new hall here.… I hope there is a good future for many, first of all the brilliant Chinese musicians, but also for [artists] coming from other countries,” Gergiev said after the performance.
RT added: “The performance in Beijing served as a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and bring people together in harmony.”
