The music is from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's signature comic opera; playing it is an orchestra from one of the world's most important opera houses; and standing in the middle is a key advocate of 20th century classical music - Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa.

 World-famous Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa (front) leads the Vienna State Opera in playing a concert version of "The Marriage of Figaro," in Shanghai on Monday, September 17, 2007. (photo: xmnext.com)

On Monday at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Seiji Ozawa led the Vienna State Opera in presenting an impressive concert version of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."

The concert abandoned fancy operatic props, letting the audience appreciate the pure musical charisma of the classic work at the hands of Seiji Ozawa.

Seventy-two-year-old Ozawa showed off his unique style, using bare hands instead of a baton, and his photographic memory by leaving the score in front of him unopened throughout the three-hour show.

Top Chinese conductor Chen Xieyang was also among the audience. He was overjoyed by Ozawa's performance, calling the concert "super perfect."

(CRI.cn September 19, 2007)