The Orchestre National de Lyon (ONL), a French orchestra based in Lyon, will perform compositions from Bizet’s “Carmen” at the annual Shenzhen Grassland Music Concerts at Shenzhen Bay Park this weekend.

    The French orchestra will also present a night of classical music. French conductor Philippe Fournier will wield the baton and French tenor Pierre-Antoine Chaumien and Austrian mezzo-soprano Albane Carrere will sing at the “Carmen” concert.

    Organized by the Shenzhen Oriental Charm Culture Transmitting Co. Ltd., the two-day event will also invite Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SSO) to perform classic movie scores. According to Li Yuanwei, the chairperson of the organizing company, the Shenzhen Grassland Music Concerts are held for music lovers who cannot afford to enjoy classical music in concert halls.

    “Carmen” is one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the classical canon. “Habanera” from Act 1 and “Toreador Song” from Act 2 are among the best known of all operatic arias. The music of “Carmen” is widely acclaimed for its brilliant melody, harmony, atmosphere and orchestration, and for the skill with which Bizet musically represented the emotions and suffering of his characters.

    Viewers can claim free tickets through the organizer’s WeChat: outdoormusic. In its third year, the Shenzhen Grassland Music Concerts have featured the Berlin Philharmonic and the Opera Australia in the past two years.

    Schedule: Nov. 14, 3-5 p.m. (movie scores by SSO); Nov. 15, 3-5 p.m. (“Carmen” by ONL); Nov. 15, 7-9 p.m. (Western classical music by ONL)

    WeChat: outdoormusic

    Inquiries: 2588-2336

    Venue: Shenzhen Bay Park, Wanghai Road, Nanshan District (南山区望海路深圳湾公园)

    Metro: Shekou Line, Wanxia Station (湾厦站), Exit A

    (SD News)