World-famous orchestra now on tour in China
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E-mail Chinadaily.com.cn, May 12, 2015
The Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo, a world-famous orchestra with a history of more than 150 years, is touring China for the first time.
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Gianluigi Gelmetti. [Photo/China Daily] |
Performing in six cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Zhuhai, from May 9-17, the orchestra brings works of Gioachino Antonio Rossini, Beethoven and especially the French composer Maurice Ravel, in commemoration of the 140 years of his birth, under the baton of Gianluigi Gelmetti.
"The Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo has a unique identity with strong Mediterranean and even Latin roots. Being the ambassador (cultural) of the country, we want to establish strong ties and promote our way to conceive and play music through this tour," says the Italian conductor and composer, Gelmetti, who returned as principal conductor of the orchestra in March 2012, after an earlier stint there from 1990 to 1991.
During a recent interview with China Daily, Gelmetti said that in the 16th century, during the reign of Hercule Grimaldi, the Palace of Monaco was the center of great artistic and musical activities. This artistic commitment continued under the leadership of various princes of the principality that lies on the French Riviera.
In 1856, during the reign of Charles III, the orchestra was formed and took different names, such as the National Orchestra of the Monte Carlo Opera in 1953, and then under its current name the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo in 1980.
As for the works being performed during the China tour, the conductor said that he wanted the program to bring out the international and cosmopolitan aspects of the orchestra because pieces by masters from the pillars of European music -- Italy, France and Germany -- were being played by the orchestra.
"Today China, in all areas, has a place of primary importance, and it is not just a curiosity but a strong reality, not just thanks to performers of international stature, that we have received in our orchestra, but also for the growing reputation of its orchestras, its performers and composers," he says.
According to him, young Chinese interpreters are present in music academia and universities around the world, so the orchestra is proud to bring performances to the country. The tour will also see Chinese violinist Zhang Zhang perform along with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte-Carlo.
Joining this orchestra in 2000, the Beijing-born violinist grew up with classical music since both of her parents were among the earliest generation of people to enter China’s prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in the 1950s.
Zhang was studying at the Conservatory of Music in Lausanne, Switzerland, when she saw a post in the school recruiting musicians for the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic. "The artistic director at the time was the famous German conductor Marek Janowski, whom I have seen in concerts before. I wanted to have a chance to work with him so I decided to give it a try. That's how it all started," Zhang tells the newspaper. "I believe the tour will be appreciated by Chinese audiences."
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