It is surprising that Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) has never paid a visit to its neighbor Shenzhen. But, the long overdue appointment with local music fans has now arrived.

Under the baton of top conductor Yu Long, HKPO will present a night of Mendelssohn and Mahler in collaboration with pianist Serena Wang and soprano Rao Lan. Opening the concert will be the “Overture in E Major, Op. 21,” a concert overture young Mendelssohn composed at just 17 for Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

While a romantic piece in atmosphere, the overture incorporates many classical elements, being cast in sonata form and shaped by regular phrasings and harmonic transitions.

Next in the program, pianist Wang will play a piano solo from Mendelssohn’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25.”

While the first half of the concert is full of youthful vigor and a dreamy atmosphere, the latter half is more meditative. HKPO will then perform Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4 in G Major,” with a song in the fourth movement to be sung by soprano Rao.

Yu is the artistic director and chief conductor of the China Philharmonic, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, music director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the HKPO.

Established in 1895 as an amateur orchestra, the HKPO became a professional orchestra in 1974 funded by the Hong Kong Government.

Time: 8 p.m., May 28

Tickets: 80-880 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, intersection of Hongli Road and Yitian Road, Futian District (福田区红荔路和益田路交汇处深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4, Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D(SD News)