Music fit for royalty
- Source: Global Times
- [09:51 August 20 2010]
- Comments
Maestro Dutoit. Photo: Courtesy of Wang Jie
"In 2000, it was the RPO's first visit to China, and we chose Shanghai. Shanghai also chose us at that time. And over the following 10 years, we have performed here several times. Now, in 2010, the World Expo makes the city the focus of the whole world, and we returned to celebrate this international festival," Dutoit said.
As well as the concerts Dutoit has been busy giving a series of lectures at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Grand Theater.
The London-based RPO now performs at South Bank Center's Royal Festival Hall, but in its early years often faced desperate searches for a home, at one stage having to reside in a disused cinema.
The RPO tours frequently, visiting more than 30 countries in the last five years, and has worked with some of the great international soloists including Martha Argerich, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Sol Gabetta and Nigel Kennedy.
The orchestra has its own record label and was the first UK orchestra to stream a series of concerts live from Cadogan Hall. It has recorded extensively and performed on soundtracks notably for Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Red Shoes.
The RPO does not restrict itself to serious classical music. It has given concerts with music by Pink Floyd, Oasis, Queen, George Michael, R.E.M. and U2.
Recently it performed a series of concerts with Sting and in the past has played with Burt Bacharach, George Benson, Michel Legrand, Diana Krall, Tina Turner and Randy Newman.
Date: Tomorrow, 7:30 pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater
上海大剧院
Address: 300 People's Avenue
人民大道300号
Tickets: 120 to 800 yuan
Call 6386-2836 for details
