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Debra Li
LARGE show “Four Seasons Charm” by the prestigious China Opera and Dance Drama Theater will raise the curtain on this year’s GoTone classic season next month.
In the following four months, 12 more programs will be presented to local audiences, covering the genres of classical music, song and dance, drama, ballet, magic and Beijing opera.
The oldest show season in town, “GoTone” has been held since 2003, offering theatergoers much excitement and surprise.
“This year, we will have classics such as the violin solo by preeminent master Itzhak Perlman and ‘Onegin’ by National Ballet of China. Then, for young audiences, we have some light-hearted comedies and Lisa Ono’s bossa nova,” introduced Zheng Weiqian, artistic consultant of Shenzhen Performance Company, the organizer of the event.
“Middle-aged and elderly audiences can enjoy a Beijing opera concert and classical music fans can enjoy a collaboration between Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and Shanghai Choir.”
As usual, a grand show will open the season. A representative piece of work by the China Opera and Dance Drama Theater, “Four Seasons Charm” has been well received around the world. The show toured South Korea in 2007 and Canada and the United States in 2008. Comprising four scenes representing the four seasons, the show interweaves well-loved Chinese folk songs and dance styles, detailed stage design and elaborate lighting.
The closing show will contain excerpts from classical Beijing operas presented by Beijing Opera House. Joining the show will be Chi Xiaoqiu of Cheng School, Du Zhenjie of Ma School and Tan Xiaozeng of Tan School.
One of the heavyweights of the season will be Perlman. Perlman is a global superstar who has captured the public’s imagination. Having lost the use of his legs after contracting polio at 4, Perlman always sits when playing. But he never fails to bring audiences to their feet. His manner has been described as aristocratic, but his playing is decidedly populist. From the most discerning music lovers to the youngest initiates, nobody remains unmoved by Perlman.
Apart from Ono, who will be performing in Shenzhen for a third consecutive year, young audiences will enjoy two small-theater dramas. Taiwan director Li Zongxi’s “18 Generations of My Ancestors” moves between past and present and brings a night of laughter and relief. “Cooking a Dream” by mainland director Huang Ying achieved instant success this month when it reached the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
The ballet shows during the “GoTone” season are also must-sees. Besides the Russian classic “Swan Lake,” the National Ballet of China will bring “Onegin” for the first time to the local stage.
The SSO New Year’s Concert has booked pianist Lang Lang to play Liszt, while Beethoven Orchestra Bonn’s concert will feature singers including Chi Liming, Yang Xiaoyong, Xu Xiaoying and Wang Weiqian.
Other shows will include Stan Lai’s drama “The Village” and Liu Qian’s magic show.
Schedule
8 p.m., Oct. 12
Song and dance “Four Seasons Charm”
Poly Theater
8 p.m., Oct. 18
Itzhak Perlman’s violin solo concert
Shenzhen Concert Hall
8 p.m., Oct. 20, 21
Drama “Cherish Our Love Forever”
Small hall of Shenzhen Grand Theater
8 p.m., Oct. 26, 27
Drama “18 Generations of My Ancestors”
Small hall of Shenzhen Grand Theater
8 p.m., Nov. 5
Ballet “Onegin”
Shenzhen Grand Theater
8 p.m., Nov. 6
Drama “The Village”
Poly Theater
8 p.m., Nov. 13, 14
Drama “Cooking a Dream”
Small hall of Shenzhen Grand Theater
8 p.m., Nov. 17
Lisa Ono’s concert
Shenzhen Concert Hall
8 p.m., Dec. 2
Liu Qian’s magic show
Shenzhen Poly Theater
8 p.m., Dec. 24
Ballet “Swan Lake”
Huaxia Arts Center
8 p.m., Dec. 31
SSO New Year’s Concert featuring Lang Lang
Shenzhen Concert Hall
8 p.m., Jan. 1
Beethoven Orchestra Bonn New Year’s Concert
Shenzhen Concert Hall
8 p.m., Jan. 10
Excerpts from classical Beijing operas
Poly Theater
(China Mobile users can log onto wap.szicity.com or //gd.10086.cn/szshop/jf/ycj/ to exchange their membership points for show tickets. Each ticket will cost 3,000 points.)
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