Long recognised as South America’s leading symphony orchestra, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra will make history next month when it becomes the first South American orchestra to tour China.

The Orchestra will visit Shanghai, Jinan, Beijing and Hong Kong presenting two different musical programmes of Brazilian, Russian and European works, all under the baton of its Music Director Marin Alsop who also makes her Chinese debut with this tour.

From its home in one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls, the Sala di São Paulo, the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra have consistently toured Europe and North America, made award-winning recordings and live-streamed many of their concerts to viewers around the world. With this tour of China, the Orchestra extends its reach further than ever and showcases the best of Brazilian culture.

Education and outreach have long been central to the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra and its Music Director Marin Alsop and this tour includes a joint rehearsal with local music students and a chamber concert.

Marcelo Lopes, Executive Director of the Orchestra said:
“Everyone at the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra is thrilled at the prospect of touring China. This is an incredible opportunity for us to not only showcase the great musicianship of our players under Marin Alsop but also to bring Brazilian music to audiences that may be unfamiliar with the riches of Villa-Lobos and Camargo Guarnieri. I particularly wish to thank our master sponsor, CBMM (Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração), for their support in making our dream a reality.”

Marin Alsop said:
“I’m excited by the huge interest in classical music in China and can’t wait to bring the wonderful São Paulo Symphony to these enthusiastic audiences and to work with the students in Hong Kong. It’s been a dream of mine to visit China and I’m looking forward to experiencing these four great cities.”

Full itinerary of the tour:

14.02 Shanghai Grand Theatre, Programme 2

15.02 Shandong Grand Theatre, Jinan, Programme 1

16.02 National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, Programme 1

20.02 ‘Side by Side’ rehearsal with students of Hong Kong conducted by Marin Alsop

20.02 OSESP Quartet, St. Andrew’s Church, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Programme: Villa-Lobos String Quartets No. 11 and Tchaikovsky String Quartet No. 1.

21.02 Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Programme 1

22.02 Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Programme 2

Full programme details:

Programme 1

Prokofiev, First Symphony, the ‘Classical Symphony’

Paganini, Violin Concerto No.1

Guarnieri, Vila Rica Suite, excerpts

R Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier Suite

Programme 2

Bernstein, Candide, Overture

Villa-Lobos, Bachianas Brasileiras No.4

Ginastera, Four Dances, ‘Estância’