Xu Zhong Conducts as Oriental Art Center Opens new Season with Mozart Magic
The year 2026 marks the 270th anniversary of Mozart's birth, and as the classical music world turns its gaze back to this eternal icon of Classicism, Shanghai's music lovers can pay tribute to the monumental composer through concerts and even theatrical performances.
The Shanghai Oriental Art Center has unveiled its autumn–winter season, which features a "Mozart Project" – eight Mozart-themed performances spanning symphony, chamber music, vocal works, and drama.
The season-opener on August 29 will see conductor-pianist Xu Zhong lead the Shanghai Opera House Symphony Orchestra in a concert of Mozart's piano concertos and symphonies, in the dual role of soloist and conductor from the keyboard.
The first half features the Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, "Jenamy," a work that marks the maturity of Mozart's early style with its grand structure, alongside the Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, which is regarded as a pinnacle of the classical piano concerto repertoire.
The second half presents the Symphony No. 31 in D major, "Paris" and Symphony No. 38 in D major, "Prague" – both in three movements, brimming with the festive, celebratory spirit characteristic of Mozart's D-major works.
Two other dedicated concerts within the "Mozart Project" are: violinist Ning Feng joining the Kammerorchester Potsdam for a complete cycle of Mozart's violin concertos on October 10 and 11.
The Berlin Philharmonic's first concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley and principal violist Mei Diyang, together with the Berliner Barock Solisten, will perform on November 12.
The Vienna Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra will also include Mozart works in their Shanghai appearances. The Vienna Boys' Choir will perform Mozart's choral music. German electro-classical crossover band SYMPHONIACS will make their China debut, reinterpreting Mozart's classic melodies with avant-garde stylings.
Notably, Russia's Vakhtangov Theatre will also present the drama "Mozart" (based on "Amadeus") directed by Anatoly Shuliev, bringing the legendary life of the genius to the stage.
The Oriental Art Center's new season totals 40 productions. Other major artists set to appear include: Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, sitar star Anoushka Shankar from India, and Angela Gheorghiu, a five-time Gramophone Award winner and a benchmark contemporary soprano in opera.
Performance info
Date: August 29, 7:30pm
Tickets: 180-680 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center 上海东方艺术中心
Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd 丁香路425号
