Russian-Chinese Symphony Orchestra performs concert to mark anniversary of two countries' Friendship Society

On Monday 14 November, the Russian-Chinese Symphony Orchestra will give a concert at the St. Petersburg State Academic Capella to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society. This is reported by TASS.

Artistic director and chief conductor of the orchestra, Viktoria Dobrovolskaya, told a press conference that the event will also see the signing of an agreement between the city's universities on musical cooperation between students of the two countries.

"Our concert is structured around hits and unknown works in Russia, but known in China. First, we have several items featuring a Russian folk instrument solo with a large symphony orchestra - a psaltery ensemble, a domra," she said.

According to Dobrovolskaya, there will also be excerpts from classical Russian opera and choral scenes performed in Russian and Chinese. It is noted that students from five educational institutions - about 200 people - will take part in the concert.

Igor Maksimtsev, deputy chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, said the memorandum would be signed between the St. Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, the St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture and the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. In addition, several other St Petersburg and Chinese universities are being negotiated to be included in the agreement.

The Russian-Chinese Symphony Orchestra, consisting of young musicians from the two countries, debuted in St Petersburg on 27 May 2022, in honour of the City Day. Its artistic director and principal conductors are Viktoria Dobrovolskaya and Tongzho Zheng, both students of Professor Vladimir Altshuler, graduates of the St Petersburg Conservatoire's Opera and Symphonic Conducting Department.