In a formal ceremony in Washington, DC today, The Philadelphia Orchestra - one of the world's most renowned cultural ambassadors - signed a historic agreement with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing to develop a pilot partnership in China, which is set to launch in May 2012.
The agreement, signed by Chen Ping, the President of NCPA, and Allison Vulgamore, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, is the latest aspect of the U.S. Department of State's high-level "People-to-People" Exchange, which serves to enhance and strengthen ties between American and Chinese citizens in a variety of areas, including culture.
In response to formalizing this agreement, the Department of State issued a statement of support stating, "...[it] is pleased to note The Philadelphia Orchestra's latest initiative to build more extensive cultural ties between the United States and China through its new partnership with China's National Centre for the Performing Arts. This collaboration is one of the many positive results that have emerged from the U.S.-China Constitution on People-to-People Exchange."
Launching with "The Philadelphia Orchestra Week" in Beijing, this pilot partnership was jointly designed to unite Philadelphia Orchestra members with talented young Chinese musicians and develop their skills to be orchestral players. It will also serve to bring orchestral music to China's major cities and further into the provinces. Another significant feature of the partnership will be the Young Composers Programme, which will identify a Chinese composer each year and through a work commissioned by the NCPA, will then be world-premiered by The Philadelphia Orchestra at the close of the week. This first year will include performances at the NCPA, lead by Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit, as well as a chamber symphony performance conducted by Concertmaster David Kim. Additionally, this first week will include master classes, coachings, lectures and other music workshops in Beijing as well as performances in nearby Tianjin, Philadelphia's "sister" city in China, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
"Reaching this agreement with our partners in China, and particularly with Mr. Chen and the leaders of the NCPA, is not only thrilling but truly a momentous step forward for The Philadelphia Orchestra," stated Ms. Vulgamore. "Our Orchestra has had a storied and much treasured history with China and its people. We are honored to bring this long-planned vision to return to China in a musical people-to-people exchange - and we are committed to this initiative. The role of The Philadelphia Orchestra in China as a cultural ambassador for the United States is one that we cherish and one that we believe will blossom further as we pilot this residency. With support from the U.S. Department of State, we look forward to helping both governments to further their shared goal of bringing citizens together through music."
United States Ambassador Nicholas Platt, who helped shape this new partnership, concurs with Ms. Vulgamore's assessment of its importance to the world. "As a U.S. diplomat serving in Beijing, I assisted The Philadelphia Orchestra's historic 1973 visit to China, and witnessed firsthand how the ‘Philadelphia Sound' could transform audiences and musicians alike," said Ambassador Platt. "Creation of this pilot partnership for the Orchestra and China, nearly four decades later, demonstrates that past can be prologue. I am excited to see how this relationship between The Philadelphia Orchestra and NCPA thrives in the 21st century and more, how it promotes a new generation of extraordinary talent."
The agreement and announcement of the pilot partnership in China caps one of The Philadelphia Orchestra's busiest and most artistically rich summers. In addition to Philadelphia-area concerts at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts and Longwood Gardens, the Orchestra was in residence in Vail, CO, and Saratoga Springs, NY, before embarking on a critically acclaimed three-week tour of European Festivals. In the coming weeks, the Orchestra will perform a series of free Neighborhood Concerts in Philadelphia as well as its annual free concert for college students. This community engagement by the legendary ensemble is followed by its Opening Night gala on October 13, which welcomes guest soprano
Dawn Upshaw under the baton of Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit and launches the exciting 2011-12 season.
For more information regarding The Philadelphia Orchestra, its pilot partnership with China or the upcoming 2011-12 season, please visit
www.philorch.org.
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