Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Lang Lang will lead a group of renowned artists performing at the opening ceremony for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, organizers announced on Saturday.

The opening ceremony's creative and production team includes 13 top industry professionals from both home and abroad.

Ma, who has 15 Grammys to his name, will serve as music adviser for the event. Lu Chuan, director of the award-winning film "Kekexili," will be the event's artistic director.

Game organizers also announced that Lang, an emerging pianist who has been chosen spokesperson for the games, is the first Chinese performer to confirm that he will play at the opening ceremony on October 2.

Other international stars taking part in the event include Olympics global ambassador Zhang Ziyi and Jackie Chan.

"Through the collaboration of all production team members, the games' opening ceremony will undoubtedly become an unforgettable experience for an audience of millions," said Don Misher, who will direct TV broadcasts of the ceremony.

The producers, however, refused to disclose what the ceremony will include, saying details won't be announced until next month.

Scheduled to run from Oct. 2 to 11, the 2007 Special Olympics mark the first time the event will be held in Asia. It is expected to gather 7,200 athletes, 40,000 volunteers and thousands of spectators from 167 countries and regions.

(Shanghai Daily February 13, 2007)