ARTS / MUSIC
Austria: Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing stages ‘Highlights of Rebecca’ concert
Austria: ‘Highlights of Rebecca’ concert is staged in Beijing
The Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing staged a concert titled "Highlights of Rebecca" at the Embassy of Austria in China on November 19. As a warm-up session for the premiere of Rebecca, the musical evening offered a new experience for guests in Beijing's early winter.
In his opening speech, Andreas Riecken, Austrian Ambassador to China, said that since its release in 2006, the staged version of the German musical Rebecca has been performed in 13 countries around the world, in 10 languages, and more than 2.7 million people have already seen the exciting story, with many more to do so in Beijing.
"I'm very pleased that Austrian musical productions find their way to several cities here in China," said Riecken.
Global critics say that Chinese audiences, like so many people around the world, resonate with the beautiful melodies and stories in the production, he added, saying that these performances are further opportunities to build bridges between music lovers, actors, musicians, and producers from both countries and therefore help to establish people-to-people contact as well as to further develop financial relations between Austria and China.
"This is extremely important, especially in times like these," Riecken noted.
Yang Shucong, deputy general manager of the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, said that November 20 is a unique day that celebrates the ninth anniversary of the art center, also marking the musical Rebecca's premiere in Beijing.
"This is not a random act but a special arrangement," Yang said.
Introducing 10 international musical productions this year in English and French, this is the first German-language musical to be staged at the art center in 2024, he noted.
Leading actors in the play, Antonia Kalinowski, Arvid Assarsson, Katja Berg, and Annemieke van Dam sang a selection of original songs with beautiful melodies for around 150 guests.
Considered one of the most successful original productions by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, Rebecca premiered on November 20 at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, with support from the Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing.
A total of 29 performances will be shown in partner theaters in Beijing and Guangzhou.
This is the first mounting of Rebecca in China. The production will be musically accompanied by a local orchestra.
Rebecca, with 22 original songs, is a gripping thriller full of intrigue and surprises that stays true to the original novel.
Based on the world-famous story by the celebrated novelist Daphne du Maurier, the musical was also made into a film.
In his opening speech, Andreas Riecken, Austrian Ambassador to China, said that since its release in 2006, the staged version of the German musical Rebecca has been performed in 13 countries around the world, in 10 languages, and more than 2.7 million people have already seen the exciting story, with many more to do so in Beijing.
"I'm very pleased that Austrian musical productions find their way to several cities here in China," said Riecken.
Global critics say that Chinese audiences, like so many people around the world, resonate with the beautiful melodies and stories in the production, he added, saying that these performances are further opportunities to build bridges between music lovers, actors, musicians, and producers from both countries and therefore help to establish people-to-people contact as well as to further develop financial relations between Austria and China.
"This is extremely important, especially in times like these," Riecken noted.
Yang Shucong, deputy general manager of the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, said that November 20 is a unique day that celebrates the ninth anniversary of the art center, also marking the musical Rebecca's premiere in Beijing.
"This is not a random act but a special arrangement," Yang said.
Introducing 10 international musical productions this year in English and French, this is the first German-language musical to be staged at the art center in 2024, he noted.
Leading actors in the play, Antonia Kalinowski, Arvid Assarsson, Katja Berg, and Annemieke van Dam sang a selection of original songs with beautiful melodies for around 150 guests.
Considered one of the most successful original productions by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, Rebecca premiered on November 20 at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, with support from the Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing.
A total of 29 performances will be shown in partner theaters in Beijing and Guangzhou.
This is the first mounting of Rebecca in China. The production will be musically accompanied by a local orchestra.
Rebecca, with 22 original songs, is a gripping thriller full of intrigue and surprises that stays true to the original novel.
Based on the world-famous story by the celebrated novelist Daphne du Maurier, the musical was also made into a film.
RELATED ARTICLES
