The Philadelphia Orchestra Announces 2012 Residency Week Details

Expanding its preeminent role as cultural ambassador between the United States and China, The Philadelphia Orchestra today announced the details of its pilot 2012 Residency Week and Tour of China activities with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing.

The weeklong residency in Beijing marks the first time any U.S. orchestra has co-created a long-term residency in the People’s Republic of China, opening a new door for the Orchestra’s deeper engagement with China. The 2012 Residency Week and Tour of China runs from May 28 until June 6, 2012, and points the way for a future of new collaborations—innovative institutional partnerships as well as new musical convening and performances. China Merchants Bank is the Orchestra’s Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 Residency Week and Tour of China.

The Beijing Residency Week pilot program launches the Orchestra’s unprecedented initial five-year commitment to connect through the hearts of local musicians to their supporting communities, launched through the sharing of musical talents between its own musicians and Chinese musicians, engaging in music education, and expanding awareness of classical music in local communities. The Residency Week includes three concerts, two free open rehearsals, community engagement activities, and U.S.-China diplomatic forums and cultural exchange programs. Additionally, from June 3-6, the Orchestra will continue in China, performing in nearby Tianjin—Philadelphia’s “sister city” in China—Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit, deeply beloved by Chinese audiences, will lead five of the six performances; Concertmaster David Kim leads a chamber orchestra concert.

“Honoring The Philadelphia Orchestra’s esteemed role as a cultural ambassador for the United States and continuing our close friendship with the people of China, today we are proud to announce a new partnership for the future,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. “We are humbled and honored to commit to the longer term possibilities we are co-designing with our good partners in China. I especially want to thank President Chen Ping and the NCPA for their guidance, support, and for their commitment to the comprehensive menu of music education and community engagement programming of the pilot project. We look forward to uniting citizens from China and the United States through this musical partnership and the glorious sound of The Philadelphia Orchestra.”

Mr. Yang Jingmao, vice president of the NCPA, stated: “The Philadelphia Orchestra is an old friend of the Chinese people and the premier ambassador of the United States. We are happy to host and partner with The Philadelphia Orchestra to inaugurate this new era of cultural exchange between China and the U.S. During the Residency, citizens in Beijing will have the opportunity to touch the power of classical music through the Orchestra’s artistic excellence.”

The Beijing Residency Week will go beyond the traditional concert experience, sharing classical music inside and outside of the concert hall and with the people. The Orchestra will perform in diverse locations to include the Great Wall, community centers such as the Beijing Mai Zi Dian Community, the Special Education School of Dongcheng District, and the Beijing School for the Blind.

An essential component of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s engagement in China will be to work collaboratively with the NCPA to identify and train Chinese classical musicians. During the pilot Residency Week, the Orchestra will give the world premiere of An Interrupted Dream by Du Wei, this year’s winning composer selected from the Young Composers Program by the NCPA.

The Philadelphia Orchestra announced its initiative in China with the support of the U.S. Department of State and the China Ministry of Culture last year as part of the U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange.

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