CHINA: XUANZANG'S PILGRIMAGE, A Concert Performance Comes to NJPAC

China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) is proud to present a concert performance of Image China: Xuanzang's Pilgrimage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), January 29, 2019 at 7:30pm. Performed by the China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO), the original production is the first concert drama by a traditional Chinese orchestra. For tickets and more information, please visit: www.njpac.org.

The concert showcases the diverse yet connected cultures found along the legendary Silk Road. The performance features exotic instruments that include the bamboo flute, xiao, huqin, pipa, suona, ruan, konghou, ghaychak, rubab, dombra, hobez, satar, dap, eagle flute and muqam from the peoples of Han, Uighur, Kazak, Tajik, and beyond.

Founded in 1960, The China National Traditional Orchestra(CNTO) is a state-level performing arts institution in China. Members of CNTO-comprising an orchestra of traditional instruments and a chorus-are highly-esteemed musicians both at home and abroad. In the concert, the orchestra will highlight traditional Chinese musical themes, while incorporating modern elements.

Wang Xiuqin, General Manager of China Performing Arts Agency, CAEG, said, "Xuanzang is a great example of cultural exchange in Chinese history. It demonstrates that China has always been open to learning about other cultures from abroad. We hope that this concert, featuring China's top traditional orchestra, will both enlighten and enchant American audiences."

Xuanzang's Pilgrimage is composed and directed by Jiang Ying, conducted by Liu Sha and features Tang Feng as the concertmaster. Jiang Ying, joined CNTO in 2013 as composer-in-residence. She has devoted her career in the exploration and innovation of Chinese traditional music, receiving international acclaim for her productions.

"The greatest innovation of Xuanzang's Pilgrimage is that the story is enacted through music, both through the musicians and their instruments," Jiang Ying said.

Xuanzang's Pilgrimage is part of Image China, a high-level cultural exchange program presented by CAEG, which introduces traditional and contemporary Chinese performing arts to audiences around the world. Since its inception in 2009, Image China has presented works at performance venues across the globe, including the Lincoln Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and on stages throughout Europe and Australia.

The concert of Xuanzang's Pilgrimage plays The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on January 29, 2019 at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $70-$200 and are available at The NJPAC box office (1 Center Street, Newark) Tuesday - Saturday from noon to 6pm, at NJPAC.org, or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC.