At 19:00, May 9th, the first espisode of NCPA “Sound of Summer Blooms” online concert series “Pastoral”, kicked off as the first concert to be held in the Concert Hall since the epidemic outbreak. It was also the first concert of Beethoven symphonies held by China NCPA Orchestra to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven. Tens of millions of netizens watched the online concert on 44 channels and 80 online platforms worldwide. Up to now, the concert has been viewed online for more than 35 million times.
The heads of 18 art institutions sent greetings and messages to the global audience through the video. Among them, Dominique Meyer, President of the Wiener Staatsoper and Teatro alla Scala, sent sincere blessings from the empty stage of the Wiener Staatsoper, expressing his expectations for the concert. George Felthalle, General Manager of the Deutsche Oper Berlin Foundation, expected global music lovers to indulge in the first “Sound of Summer Blooms” concert. He also said, “Culture and art have made all hearts in the world closely linked together and further solidified the relationship among international art institutions.” Matías Tarnopolsk, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, pointed out, “Today’s music contains unprecedented power, which can hold people together to have them enlightened and heartened.” Colonel Kenneth Schenyuk, President and Artistic Director of the Russia Alexander Red-Flag Song and Dance Troupe, said, “Life goes on. We are in Moscow to convey our best wishes to you. According to the Russian tradition, we’d like to wish you good health.”
At the concert, LÜ Jia, NCPA Artistic Director of the Music, said, “After an over three-month rest, we’re back to the Concert Hall again and symphonic music is played again. Although the audience is not allowed to enter the theatre for the time being, I believe they will soon come in.”
Before the performance began, REN Luyu, a host at the China Media Group, arrived at the scene on invitation and walked into the Concert Hall. He enjoyed Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 in C major and Symphony No. 6 in F major “Pastoral” with LÜ Jia, and GAO Yi, Content Director of the Classical Channel. The concert kicked off with Chinese classic music The Enchanting Night, composed by LIU Tianhua, expressing the Chinese people’s best wishes to the world.
During the concert, the NCPA received a message from the person in charge of the overseas branch—Borja Ezkura Bakas, Vice President of the Teatro Real, said, “The concert is broadcast smoothly here. Congratulations on all achievements made by the NCPA!” Umberto Fani, General Manager of the Royal Opera House Muscat, said, “We’re watching the performance on Facebook. It’s great! The orchestra and conductor are both great. I miss you very much. I am very grateful for the cooperation between us. Please say hello to everyone on my behalf. I hope to see you soon. In the future, we will also rebroadcast the concert on social media platforms.”
Overseas netizens in 73 countries and regions across five continents watched the concert and all called it a showstopper. An Ecuadorian viewer said, “The beautiful live music woke me up at 7:30 on the morning. After getting up, I sat on the sofa wearing earphones, feeling as if I were strolling in mountains, with a breeze caressing my cheeks, birds’ singing into my ears and flower fragrance into my nose.” A Romanian viewer said, “Thank you! That’s wonderful! Here are my best wishes from Romania.” An Egyptian viewer said, “Music can purify the soul at this hard time.” A Spanish viewer said, “Music conveys lots of peaceful messages in an unequalled manner!”
At the same time, Chinese netizens made positive comments, “It’s designed so meticulously that the content of each piece is detailed. Thank you”; “I like ‘Pastoral’. The music contains clear and lofty sentiments, as well as human love for nature”; “Music lovers can enjoy themselves here”; “Hail to the great musicians. Music is a method for healing”; “Everything has become wonderful again. That’s uneasy. Thank you”.
On May 12th, the NCPA will work with the Beijing Media Network to launch a theme concert to celebrate International Nurses Day 2020. On May 16th, China NCPA Orchestra will perform classics by Britten, Prokofiev and Schonberg under the baton of conductor LI Xincao.
