Han Xiaoming, a French horn master who enjoys a fine reputation worldwide, will perform at the Mission Hills Mall in Longhua New Area on May 2, with Chinese Horn Ensemble. The entry is free.

    The event，organized by Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Mission Hills Group, is part of Shenzhen’s French Horn Week beginning today and lasting to May 3.

    The French horn, often called the horn, is a brass instrument with a flared bell. Descended from the natural horn, the instrument is not French in origin, but German. Therefore, the International Horn Society has recommended since 1971 that the instrument be simply called the horn. The French horn is still the most commonly used name for the instrument in the United States.

    It is often used in film music. Han’s repertoire includes “Hakuna Matata” — a French horn piece from “The Lion King,” a 1994 American animated musical.

    Born to a musician’s family, Han became the principal horn player of the China Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17. He became the youngest horn professor in Germany, and the first from Asia when he was hired as a permanent professor at the Saarland University of Music in 1992.

    About 20 members of the newly established Chinese Horn Ensemble will also join the performance Monday. Some are Han’s students.

    Time: 7:30 p.m., May 2

    Venue: Mission Hills Centreville, 1 Mission Hills Road, Longhua New District (龙华新区观澜湖路1号观澜湖新城)

    Metro: Longhua Line, Qinghu Station (清湖站), Exit A, then take a taxi (fare would be 70-80 yuan) or bus M338

    (Windy Shao)