Wang Jingli

wangjingli0715@163.com

THE third Belt & Road Shenzhen International Music Festival will open March 24 and run through April 14, with 21 high-end concerts performed by over 800 prominent artists from more than 40 countries and regions around the world, announced the Shenzhen Municipal Government at a news conference Saturday.

The festival, jointly hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal Government and Chinese Musicians’ Association, is a response to China’s Belt & Road Initiative as well as part of the city’s plan to develop cultural innovations. Lasting for 22 days, a total of 21 concerts will be held at major theaters in the city at affordable prices.

With the great success of the first and second music festivals, this year’s festival will continue the theme, “Connecting China to the World,” and present audiences with a cultural banquet at a much higher standard.

“This year, we are very much honored to have Britain’s musical prodigy, Alma Deutscher, who is the youngest composer, pianist and violinist today. This will be her first show in China,” said Ye Xiaogang, chairman of the Chinese Musicians’ Association.

Not only have musicians like Deutscher been invited to perform during the festival but also world renowned orchestras such as Cleveland Orchestra and Freiburger Barockorchester, jazz groups like Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and art groups with national characteristics from countries including Qatar, Georgia, Slovenia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Additionally, the festival will cooperate with Hong Kong Arts Festival to perform an updated version of Canton Opera, “Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers.”

Distinguished orchestras and young artists at home will also perform and get involved in the composition of musical works featuring the Belt & Road.

Another highlight of this year’s festival is that, besides musical performances, more art-related activities will be held in schools and public cultural venues, allowing residents to explore more stories behind the stage and creating opportunities for communication.

In order to let more residents enjoy real cultural benefits, the ticket prices have been set much lower than the market standard, with the lowest price for students at 80 yuan (US$11.8) and the highest less than 1,000 yuan.

Early Bird Tickets at discounted prices are available until Thursday.

Two performances of the “Night of Poland” and “Music Carnival of the Silk Road” will be held for free for the public. For more ticket and festival information, residents can follow the official WeChat account, “szbrmf,” or visit the website, http://www.szbrmf.org.