— A Live Concert to Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year 2022

Join us for a festive evening of orchestral music and Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at The Concourse Chatswood Concert Hall on Saturday February 5th, 2022.

Chinese-Australian conductor Shilong Ye will lead the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra alongside an all-star selection of musical talent and popular Chinese-Australian soloists, including award-winning pianist Tony Lee, Erhu instrumentalist Tuqiang Zhang, and stunning soprano Lei Du. Featuring performances of internationally acclaimed Chinese classics such as the Suite of Spring Festival and the Tune of Meihu alongside Tchaikovsky’s captivating Piano Concerto No.1, This exciting lineup is set to deliver a truly remarkable live music experience.

Brought to life by the talented composer Huanzhi Li, the joyful and exuberant classical piece Spring Festival Suite conveys the festive ambience of Chinese New Year celebrations that take place in China’s Shanbei region, including singing of the popular Chinese folk song Tune of Meihu.

Featured in Chatswood’s Year of the Tiger Festival, this concert will showcase a broad repertoire of diverse creativity and master-level instrumentalists.

Chinese New Year Gala Night 2020

Celebrate the Year of Rat alongside pop stars and international artists from China and Australia. The Chinese Lunar New Year Gala 2020 will take place at Sydney ‘s Town Hall on the 28th of January, and is sure to entertain you with a fun-filled night of acrobatics, martial arts, traditional opera, pop music, folk songs, erhu performance, and Tang dance.

As a regular soloist with Opera Australia, Mezzo soprano Victoria Lambourn will take to the Gala stage with Shaanxi tenor He Zhen, Soprano Liu Xiaojie, tenor Ren Yong, and Erhu instrumentalist Liu Xin alongside the Shaanxi Song & Dance Troupe, Shaanxi Acrobatics Troupe, and Shaanxi Wushu & Sports Center artists who will perform together to bring you a splendid showcase and an exciting evening packed with Lunar New Year festivities.

The Chinese New Year Gala Night 2020 is an official event of the "Happy Chinese New Year" series established by the Chinese Ministry of Culture & Tourism alongside the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture & Tourism, Guofeng Qinyun, and is also part of the Lunar New Year celebrations operated by the City of Sydney Council. This event is organized by the China Cultural Centre in Sydney in collaboration with the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture & Tourism, and is produced by Ausfeng Events.

Tales of the Chinese Zodiac - Musical Dance Spectacular

“An ingenious and high-quality performance…colourful pageantry, stunning choreography and thought-provoking story-line” — Clarin, Argentina

China’s highly acclaimed musical dance show “Tales of the Chinese Zodiac” thrilled viewers at its Australian premiere brought to life by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group at Sydney’s State Theatre and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on Nov 21-25, 2019.

The China Oriental Performing Arts Group includes a team of China’s finest musical and dance performers who represent the highest standard of music and dance arts in China. Having performed across China, they have also toured in five continents and more than seventy countries around the world.

A cast of fifty seasoned performers staged an exquisite production of colorful pageantry, stunning costumes, masterful choreography and vibrant music during their performance Tales of the Chinese Zodiac. The show featured a number of Chinese and Western percussion instruments such as the African djembe hand drum and the Cuban conga drums accompanied by a stunning synthesis of classical and modern Chinese dance. There was even an artful display of calligraphy, Peking Opera and martial arts during the show.

The 12 zodiac signs are a significant part of China’s ancient cultural heritage that originated when calendar years were identified based on different zodiac animal signs according to a 12-year cycle. It is believed that the Chinese zodiac signs bestow the individual characteristics of each animal onto those born in the corresponding year. Shen Chen, Director and choreographer of the performance, says "The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac represent the most important and symbolic part of traditional Chinese culture. I would like to show the circle of life, the circle of the four seasons and the circle of nature through dance and music."

Divided into four acts, the story follows the characteristics of the twelve most important historical periods of China that exhibit every zodiac animal's traits, such as the carefree ox roaming through wild pastures and the uninhibited spirit of the zodiac dragon.

Beijing Golden Sail Arts Troupe — “China Young” Extravaganza

The Beijing Golden Sail Art Troupe delivered a splendid showcase at the Sydney Opera House on July 27, 2019. Directed by the award-winning director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Meng Yan, the Beijing Golden Sail Arts Troupe “China Young” Extravaganza highlighted the unique attributes of Chinese youth performers to showcase a seamless and entrancing stage production. The travelling student troupe thoroughly impressed their audience on the night and left behind a truly remarkable impression with their extravagant performance.

Twelve Girls Band — Chinese New Year Concert 2019

The prestigious Twelve Girls Band made their Australian premiere at Sydney Opera House on Feb 3, 2019, as part of the celebrations for the 2019 Lunar New Year sponsored by Sydney Beer Co. The Twelve Girls Band is an all-female music troupe from China whose members are highly regarded and nationally acclaimed musical ambassadors of Chinese music. By artfully combining traditional Chinese folk instruments with elements of modern pop music such as Jazz, Rock, and Latin sensibilities, the band produces a truly unique sound that manages to bring out rich flavours from the east complemented by notes of charming western undertones.

A full review of the event can be found at Cutcommon.

Lake Honghu Opera in Concert

With over 60 years of experience and 3000 performances under their belt, the Hubei Symphony Orchestra of the Hubei Provincial Opera & Dance Drama Theatre performed outside of China for the very first time as they made their outstanding debut in Australia’s theatres showcasing a modern production of the classic Chinese opera Lake Honghu.

Australian conductor Vanessa Scammell (My Fair Lady, The Merry Widow, South Pacific) led a team of seven vocalists accompanied by a chorus of forty in their spectacular performance of “The Red Guards on Lake Honghu” at Sydney Opera House on Nov 4th 2018. A second showing of the concert led by resident conductor Luo Yilin also took place at the Melbourne Recital Centre on the 7th and 8th of November.

Based on a true story, “The Red Guards on Lake Honghu” tells the tale of Han Ying and Liu Chuang who led a team of guardians to defend their homeland in the scenic region of Lake Honghu during the summer of 1930. Honghu City is well known for its rich aquatic life consisting of more than forty kinds of fish and an abundance of plants, such as lotus, reed, and algae.

The original opera (composed by Zhu Benhe, Zhang Jing’an and Ouyang Qianshu) was first performed in 1958 in Wuhan, and was later staged in Beijing in October 1959. Blending western-styled opera with traditional Chinese music, Hubei folk songs, and lyrical ballads, this entrancing concert featured a collection of cheerful and passionate melodies that demonstrated a revolutionary pioneer’s love for his hometown and his hopes for a happier future. Showcasing structures found in both Chinese traditional opera and English Opera, this particular piece focused on embodying the poignancy of each character’s emotional state of mind.

After its successful debut in Beijing, the opera has since earned its title as a national treasure and one of China’s Classic Opera’s of the 20th Century. The production was even adapted into a popular film version in 1961. Famous scores from the show such as “The Honghu Lake, Waves Upon Waves”, “No Tears, No Sorrow”, and “Wait and See the Liberation of All Suffering People” have since ingrained themselves deep into the collective memory of Chinese citizens.

In order to ensure each piece continues to resonate with a contemporary audience, subtle modifications were made to the original arrangements featured in Lake Honghu Opera in Concert, an artistic feat that ultimately produced a show celebrating and reviving a number of China’s underrated classic compositions while preserving the spiritual significance of their original works.

The Legend of Dunhuang

Hailed as “The Oriental Swan Lake”, China’s highly-acclaimed dance spectacular The Legend of Dunhuang was performed by Gansu Dance Theatre on Australian stages for the very first time in history during September 2018. Following stunning performances in New York and London, Gansu Dance Theatre’s most renowned production The Legend of Dunhuang showcased throughout Australian theatres including The Star (Gold Coast), Civic Theatre (Newcastle) and Darling Harbour Theatre ICC (Sydney) from Sept 18 - Oct 6, 2018 as part of the troupe’s magnificent national tour.

Established in 1961, the Gansu Dance Theatre is widely recognised as an enthusiastic advocate for Dunhuang’s rich cultural history and its reputation as a city renowned for its natural beauty and historic ties to the Silk Road. The troupe has won a number of national awards and toured throughout thirty countries. The Legend of Dunhuang is their most acclaimed piece of work that is generally performed with a 47-piece ensemble, and has even made its debut in over 400 cities worldwide since its initial creation almost 40 years ago. The production was reinvented in 2008 to celebrate the Beijing Olympics and has since come to symbolise a significant milestone in the history of Chinese culture and dance.

The Legend of Dunhuang is a fascinating tale that takes place in a desert city by the name of Dunhuang, now known as a culturally rich archaeological site located in China's northwest Gansu Province. The Legend of Dunhuang narrates the story of a kind-hearted fresco painter and his young daughter, Ying Niang, who save the life of a Persian merchant named Yunis. Ying Niang and Yunis flee to Persia to escape the corrupt forces of their home country while her father stays behind to paint what would later be known as the famous frescoes decorating Dunhuang’s grottoes. This captivating tale takes a tragic turn when Ying Niang’s father sacrifices his life to save her and Yunis.

More than a triumphant tale of honour, love and international friendship, this exquisite production transports the audience to the flourishing era of international trade on the Silk Road, bringing to life the history and beauty of the Dunhuang grottoes that have since become a UNESCO heritage site thanks to the cultural significance of the many murals inside the region’s cave grottoes.

Tales of the Silk Road: Pipa and Percussion

Distinguished Pipa instrumentalist Zhang Hong-yan made her memorable debut in Australia by showcasing an enchanting Pipa performance alongside the Plucked-String Orchestra of China Central Conservatory of Music at Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Recital Center on the 6th and 8th of May 2018.

Having performed at prestigious concert halls in over 30 countries, Zhang is well renowned for evoking sentimental melodies from the pipa with a few deft plucks of the instrument’s strings. As a reputable educator of music, she currently holds the title of professor, master’s supervisor and Deputy Director of the Department of Chinese Folk Music at the China Central Conservatory of Music. Zhang is committed to exploring fusions of Eastern and Western music, and strives to unearth new possibilities for Chinese string instruments in today’s musical landscape.

Zhang’s exceptional mastery in her field was artfully showcased throughout this captivating “Tales of the Silk Road” performance. A unique lineup of contemporary Chinese music and traditional folk songs were brought together alongside celebrated Western classics in a moving extravaganza that echoed the rich history of Asia’s Silk Road. The wonders of traditional Chinese instruments were brought to life through the meticulous delivery of a truly unforgettable and multi-sensory musical experience.

“Treasures of a Nation” Chinese New Year Concert 2018

“…making stirring, unusual and enjoyable music…” Canberra Critics Circle

The prestigious Chinese Orchestra from China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater made their New Zealand debut and return to Australia as they toured through Auckland, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, and Melbourne from Tuesday the 27th of February to Wednesday the 7th of March in celebration of the 2018 Chinese New Year. Audiences in each city were transported to a musical realm of stunning visuals and refined virtuosity as these seasoned musicians showcased an enticing lineup of mixed genre compositions in their one-of-a-kind concert tour “Treasures of a Nation”.

The concert was nothing less than a truly transcendent experience that merged traditional Chinese sensibilities with contemporary music to share the rich depths of china’s cultural heritage.

Established in 1951, The China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater orchestra was one of China’s very first professional orchestras to work with traditional Chinese instruments, and have since brought an impressive collection of popular opera and dance drama productions to the stage. The Orchestra has a unique artistic style and has fostered a large number of performers who have attained high levels of musical prestige.

“East Meets West” Chinese New Year’s Eve Concert 2018

This stunning gala concert performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater was brought to the stage at Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Thursday Feb 15, 2018. 

The “East Meets West” Chinese New Year’s Eve Concert 2018 showcased a colourful combination of classical and contemporary aesthetics from the East and West Held in celebration of the 2018 Lunar New Year. This spectacular concert featured an enticing lineup of well loved classics alongside fresh compositions brought to the stage by leading performers from Australia and China, including Taryn Fiebig (Helpmann Award-winning soprano for Opera Australia), Cassandra Seidemann (Mezzo Soprano, Principal Artist for Opera Queensland and Olga in ‘The Merry Widow’, Brisbane 2018), Yi Ding (The Three Tenors of China and former principal tenor of Opera Australia), Chen-Ye Yuan (leading baritone at the National Center for Performing Arts, Beijing), Sharon Zhai (Soprano for Opera Australia and Cio-Cio-San in the touring production of “Madame Butterfly” 2018), Xiao-duo Chen (Soprano for the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater), Yafen (award-winning Chinese folk soprano) and Jia-Ping Bian (Tenor).

China National Symphony Orchestra in Australia 2017 

The internationally renowned China National Symphony Orchestra visited Australia once again this year to perform an enchanting concert marking the 45th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between China and Australia. Conducted by CNSO’s own music maestro Li Xincao, a 100-piece orchestra featuring the first Asian prizewinner of the Paganini Competition, violinist Lü Siqing, showcased a once-off performance at Sydney Opera House on Monday 23 Oct, 2017.

Founded in 1956, The China National Symphony Orchestra is recognised as one of China’s most outstanding orchestras. The CNSO has played an enormous role in promoting and developing the art of symphonic music throughout all of China, including introducing Chinese audiences to a large repertoire of classical, romantic, modern, and contemporary orchestral works by both Western and Asian composers. The CNSO has also performed alongside many international artists such as Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Ozawa, Charles Dutoit, Krystof Penderecki, David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky, Giuseppe Giacomini, Lang Lang, Li Yundi, Wang Yuja and Han-Na Chang.

Over the past decades, the CNSO has undertaken international tours to the USA, Germany, Austria, Spain, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The orchestra was even praised by The London Times as being a sophisticated musical group with vigorous sounds and excellent technique, and was mentioned in The Washington Post as a solid, energetic and meticulously drilled ensemble.

For the Orchestra’s tour in Australia 2017, the CNSO showcased a selection of classical masterpieces including The Fantasies Symphoniques (composed by Guan Xia), The Butterfly Lovers (composed by He Zhanhao & Chen Gang), and the Symphonic Suite Scheherazade. 

This was a unique opportunity for Sydney audiences to experience an exquisite musical showcase brought to life through the supreme skill and artistry demonstrated by the China National Symphony Orchestra.         

Chinese Culture Talk — Chinese and Western String Music: A Tour of Chinese Music Culture

A group of bright young graduates from the China Conservatory of Music joined forces with members of the Chinese Music Ensemble from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to perform a delightful instrumental showcase in a fascinating evening that combined musical sensibilities from the East and West as part of the ”Chinese Culture Talk” event held on Friday, April 28, 2017,

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music was especially pleased to welcome Beijing Symphony Orchestra violinist and conductor Liu Zheng to the stage alongside composer Zhu Lin from the China Conservatory of Music who hosted this event in collaboration with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney. Lecture Topic

China-Australia Year of Tourism 2017

The “China-Australia Year of Tourism 2017” was jointly organised by the governments of both countries for the purpose of further developing relations between Australia and China. This feat once again reiterated the unprecedented strength of bilateral relations between these two countries with regards to the tourism sector following the official signing and implementation of the China-Australia FTA in 2015. The “Year of Tourism” effectively boosted both countries’ political, economic, and cultural ties, helping to strengthen the overall sustainable development of strategic diplomatic partnerships between Australia and China.

The China National Tourism Administration undertook a series of exchanges, events, promotions, and collaborations to boost tourism with Australia, including the “Year of Tourism” opening ceremony held at the Sydney opera house on February 5th, 2017, to mark the official launch of year-long collaborations between the two countries.

This opening ceremony concert performed by the China National Opera & Dance Theatre took its audience on a fascinating musical journey in which they explored and immersed themselves in the majestic natural wonders and beauty of China’s rich cultural history. Viewers were nothing less than captivated by the mesmerising display of rich cultural traditions and diverse heritage that graced Australia’s stages on Sunday Feb 5, 2017

The Imperial Bells of China - Chime Music & Dance

The Imperial Bells of China featured over sixty seasoned musicians and dancers from China who performed in Australia for the first time on May 25, 2016. Their performance showcased the zeitgeist of the Chu State prevalent throughout the seven kingdoms period (403-221 BC) in ancient China.

A set of 2,400-year-old bronze and stone chime bells were unearthed from Duke Zeng’s Tomb in China’s Hubei province In 1978 alongside a collection of other ancient instruments. Inspired by these discoveries, Hubei Opera Theatre staged the Chime Music and Dance concert performance that brought bronze and stone chime bells to the stage alongside jian drums and dozens of other ancient instruments in combination with brilliant song and dance numbers that showcase the true style and aesthetics of ancient music during the Chu State.

This spectacular showcase recounted the history of the ethereal chime bells through magnificent production quality and exquisite ancient costumes effectively highlighted in an exciting lineup of epic displays such as sacrificial rituals, war scenes, farm life, and royal banquets.

“Transport yourself back in time 2400 years and witness a truly unique and enchanting experience. Immerse yourself in history and prepare to be astonished by the beautifully crafted Ancient Bells of China. Listen to their harmonious sounds and marvel at the spellbinding traditional dancers as they take you on a magical journey of both sight and sound all the way back to the ancient China.”

Celebrations at the Chinese New Year Gala Night 2016

Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra Australia Tour 2014

The Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra performed a 110-piece concert in Sydney on Saturday, Sep 19, 2015 to mark the 35th anniversary of Sister-State relations between Guangdong and New South Wales. The program for this stunning symphonic concert featured two mesmerising contemporary Chinese compositions, one of which was performed by famous cellist Li-Wei Qin. The concert also included a spectacular showcase of Guo Wen Jing’s (1956-)  Folk Song Suite for String Orchestra and Zhao Lin’s (1973-) Duo Concerto for Cello, Sheng and Orchestra. These performances were aptly contrasted by a rendition of Antonin Dvorak’s (1841-1904) piece Symphony No. 9 in E minor (From the New World).

The Yellow River Cantata — China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater

China’s most prestigious national theatre group, the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, brought one of China’s most widely celebrated traditional vocal compositions “The Yellow River Cantata” to Australian shores at Sydney Opera House on Saturday, Aug 15, 2015. This particular concert was performed in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II.

Established in 1951, the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater has brought over one hundred original works to the stage and has even performed in front of China’s heads of state and visiting international dignitaries. The group has toured worldwide, including previous concerts in Australia for the Legend of the Four Seasons and the Chinese dance drama, Confucius.

The program for their concert at Sydney Opera House included a selection of Chinese classics that have been sung by the people of China for over 70 years. including popular folk songsThe Great Wall (female solo), The Carol of Yanan (male solo) and The Marching of the Warriors, the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China. The second half of the concert featured the renowned Yellow River Cantata composed by Xian Xinghai. His composition was inspired by the contemporary poem of the same name written by famous poet Guang Weiran in response to the turmoil of World War II and the Japanese Aggression. Xian’s Yellow River Cantata soon became one of China’s most celebrated pieces of music. and demonstrated his personal style of composition that went on to influence future generations of composers.