AUSFENG presents TREASURES OF A NATION - Chinese New Year Concert 2018

The prestigious Chinese Orchestra of China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre make their New Zealand debut and Australian return with their unique concert Treasures of a Nation visiting Auckland, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne from Tuesday 27 February to Wednesday 7 March to celebrate the Chinese New Year 2018. The Treasures of a Nation promises to be truly a transcendent experience that merges traditional Chinese style with contemporary music. The concert will take you on a fascinating musical journey, exploring the treasures of a nation and immersing yourself in the rich culture.

The renowned national-level Chinese Orchestra of China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre, the first professional Chinese traditional orchestra established in 1951, has created a large number of popular opera and dance dramas. The Orchestra has a unique artistic style and has fostered a large number of performers with high artistic attainments. The Orchestra has accumulated many transitional and popular instrumental music works and its members have taken part in national and international instrumental music competitions and won many prizes.

Principal Musicians:

Huqin Bai Miao

Guzheng Lei Dianyun

Pipa Luo Huifang

Suona Shan Weiwei

Percussion Tong Shengyuan

Sheng Song Yang

Venue: Auckland Town Hall Grand Hall

Date & Time: Tuesday 27 February, 7:30PM

Prices: from $39 to $99*

Bookings: www.ticketmaster.co.nz or call 0800 111 999

Venue: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Date & Time: Thursday 1 March, 8:00PM

Prices: from $39 to $129*

Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com or call 02 9250 7777

Venue: Canberra ANU Llewellyn Hall

Date & Time: Saturday 3 March, 7:30PM

Prices: from $49 to $109*

Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au or call 132 849

Venue: Brisbane QPAC Concert Hall

Date & Time: Monday 5 March, 7:30PM

Prices: From $49 to $89*

Bookings: www.qpac.com.au or call 136 246

Venue: Melbourne Recital Centre

Date & Time: Wednesday 7 March, 7:30PM

Prices: From $49 to $109*

Bookings: www.melbournerecitalcentre.com.au or call 03 9699 3333

*a transaction fee may apply per transaction. Concession, student and group discount available

*The concert at Sydney Opera House is organized by the China Cultural Centre in Sydney

The Chinese Orchestra of China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre

The Chinese Orchestra of China National Opera & Dance Drama Theatre was founded in 1950, which marked the first Chinese traditional orchestra at the national-level. The orchestra gradually formed a unique artistic style along with Chinese operas and dance dramas (Xiao Erhei's Marriage, White Hair Girl, The Memory of Locust Tree, Liu Hulan, The Injustice to Dou E), and offers one of the most diverse music and stage expression ability.

The orchestra is continually improving under the guidance of the renowned composer/conductor Liu Wenjin who served as the president of the theater since 1995. After years of musical innovation, the orchestra has accumulated a large number of well-known concert music works, which not only retains the essence of traditional Chinese folk music, but also makes the progress and development of national music innovation and fruitfulness. Under the impetus of Mr. Liu Wenjin, the orchestra began cooperation with Japanese and Korean musicians to form the "Orchestra Asia" since 2003. Each year "Orchestra Asia" will give concerts in Japan, Korea, China and other parts of Asia, as well as the acting orchestra for political events between Japan, China and Korea.

In addition to touring different cities in China, the orchestra is internationally recognized and has travelled to over 30 countries (America, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Turkey, Korea, and Japan) for performances and culture exchange. In 1998, the orchestra held a concert in the Great Hall of the People to welcome US President Bill Clinton to visit China. In 2013, the orchestra participated in "The Ninth Samarkand International Music Festival" and won the first place for instrumental group in Uzbekistan.

In September 2015, the president of China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater Tao Cheng directed the Chinese instrumental concert Treasures of a Nation performing at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in China. The concert is a testament to the Chinese orchestra's high-quality level of performance, also has a number of excellent pieces specially composed by 10 renowned contemporary composers such as, Zhao Jiping, Tang Jianping, Wu Hua, Zhao Dongsheng, and Wang Danhong. The Treasures of a Nation is elegant and profound offering ethnic music styles, stage designs, lighting, and costumes. It perfectly highlights the charming nature of "Treasures of a Nation".

In September 2016, commemorating the 80th anniversary victory of the Chinese workers and peasants "Red Army" at Long March. The orchestra especially invited premier composers Zhang Dalong, Wang Danhong, Zou Hang, Zhang Yaoshu, Xu Zhitong, Wang Yunfei, Chen Si-ang, Luo Maishuo and other composers who jointly produced the full-size Chinese orchestra concert Treasures of a Nation - Long March Exploration, which is a magnificent symphonic poem that inspires the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and people.

The Chinese Orchestra of CNODDT brought traditional Chinese music to the world stage, new audiences, and ignited a passion in countries abroad for traditional Chinese music. In recent years, during the Chinese Spring Festival, they performed on renowned stages in Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Australia and many other countries for a month long world tour performance. In the future, the orchestra is confident that the Chinese spirit, culture, progress and wisdom can be conveyed through the universal language of music. In this way, we can share traditional Chinese music with the world and contribute to future development and progress of music as a whole.

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