Suzhou Riverside Hou Zhiyin, Kunqu Opera Aria Jazz

When Western classical music finds its soulmate in China, traditional Chinese opera is also moving towards the world.

What happens when Kunqu meets arias and jazz?

On September 22nd at 19:00, by the Suzhou River, flowing melodies will flow. As an important part of "Flowing: Starting from Shanghai - Global Urban Cultural Dialogue", the "Flowing Water Concert" will be held at the former site of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce. Chinese and French musicians gather here, playing the emotions of living on the waterfront and sharing the splendid chapter of Sino French artistic exchange.

Host Cao Qitai will serve as the overall director of the "Flowing Water Concert". Famous Chinese and French artists such as Kunqu artist Zhang Jun, music producer Li Quan, bel canto group Power Voice, soprano singer Zhu Huiling, singer Anne Evenou, and violinist Guillaume Molko will star together. The concert will feature themes such as "water", "river", and "ocean", integrating artistic elements such as traditional Chinese Kunqu opera, Western classical music, and Mandarin pop bel canto, presenting the audience with a gathering of high-quality Chinese and French audio-visual feast.

It is reported that the "Rushing Plan" is an urban cultural exchange activity initiated by the Shanghai Municipal Government Information Office. Using water as a medium, it will promote in-depth dialogue between Shanghai and an international metropolis every year. The first season's dialogue features two cities: Paris and Shanghai. From September this year to April next year, a series of activities such as the Twin Cities Humanities Forum, art exhibitions, documentary filming and screening will be held in both cities.

The "Benliu · Water Music Concert" is guided by the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, hosted by the Shanghai Association for Foreign Cultural Exchange and Shanghai Newspaper Group, co hosted by Lian Culture, with special support from the French Consulate General in Shanghai, full support from the Jing'an District Government of Shanghai, and media support from Pengpai News. The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Shanghai Light Music Orchestra also actively participated in the concert.

Introduction of the participating artists in the "Flowing Water Concert":

1. Zhang Jun

Mr. Zhang Jun is the President of the Affiliated School of Drama at Shanghai Academy of Drama, a National First Class Actor, and a recipient of the China Drama Performance Plum Blossom Award and the Shanghai Magnolia Drama Performance Leading Actor Award. Specializing in Kunqu opera, Zhang Jun studied under famous Kunqu opera performing artists Cai Zhengren, Yue Meiti, and Zhou Zhigang, and was a disciple of Master Yu Zhenfei. Over the past 30 years of his career, he has starred in various major dramas such as "The Peony Pavilion", "The Palace of Eternal Life", contemporary Kunqu opera "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night", and "Me, Hamlet".

2. Voice of Power Combination VocalForce

The Power Voice group is composed of three university vocal teachers, Song Gang, Yu Di, and Wang Zhida. They introduced the world's popular Popera singing concept and created the first popular bel canto group in China, winning the Newcomer Performance Award at the 32nd Shanghai Spring International Music Festival.

3. Guillaume Molko

French violinist Guillaume Mock is currently an associate professor at the School of Music at Soochow University, the guest chief of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, he was awarded the Knight's Medal by the French government for his outstanding contributions to the Chinese music industry. Mock has served as the invited chief of world-renowned symphony orchestras such as the Hong Kong Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

4. Zhu Huiling

Ms. Zhu Huiling, a soprano singer, graduated from Shanghai Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School, Hamburg National Conservatory of Music in Germany, and Stuttgart National Conservatory of Music in Germany, obtaining a Master's degree in Art Songs and a Diploma in Opera Singer. She has starred in plays such as "Carmen", "Witt", "Women's Hearts", "Duke Bluebeard", and "Wilderness". In recent years, she has collaborated with the National Theatre, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Central Opera House, Central Ballet, and other companies to produce plays such as "The Joker," "Andre Chenierre," "Townhouse," "Spanish Time," and "Carmen.".

5. Anna Evenou

Ms. Anna is a jazz female singer from France. She has collaborated with world-renowned musicians such as Chen Gang, Liao Changyong, Elliot Siegmund, and Alan Jean Marie multiple times. She has been invited multiple times to perform at Shanghai Concert Hall, Shanghai Cultural Square, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, and Lanxin Grand Theater.

6. Li Quan, James LI

Mr. Li Quan graduated from Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Berkeley Conservatory of Music, and is a famous singer and music producer. He has won honors such as "Outstanding Contribution Singer" at the 2015 China Original Music Salute Ceremony and "Best Music Producer" at the 2015 QQ Music Annual Ceremony. His representative works include "Eyes", "Genius and Dust", "The Man Walking on the tightrope", and so on.

7. Gong Tianpeng

Mr. Gong Tianpeng is a symphony composer and classical pianist. He is currently a resident composer of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, a director of the Shanghai Musicians Association, a member of the 14th Shanghai Municipal Political Consultative Conference, and a member of the Shanghai Youth Federation. He graduated from the Composition Department of Julia College in New York, USA and has won the Gould Young Composer Award from the American Composers Association for eight consecutive years.

8. Xia Yunhui

Ms. Xia Yunhui is a famous violinist and the head of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra. She graduated from Shanghai Conservatory of Music and studied under the renowned violinist and educator Professor Zheng Shisheng. She has collaborated on stage with many famous Chinese and foreign musicians, including Tang Muhai, Chen Zuohuang, Ozawa Zhenger, Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras, Ma Youyou, Lang Lang, and others.

In addition, the "Benliu Water Music Concert" will also feature an outdoor jazz venue. The outdoor concert will open on September 22, 2023 at 16:00 on the outdoor lawn of the former site of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce. The Shanghai Heat Club and the Alec Carnival Band will jointly perform on stage, bringing a celebration of gypsy jazz and swing music on an autumn evening.

Introduction of the participating bands in the outdoor field of "Benliu Water Music Concert":

1. Hot Club de Shanghai

Shanghai Heat Club is a high-quality gypsy jazz style band in China. The band inherits the tradition of early "French Heat Club" gypsy jazz and hopes to bring the audience back to the golden age of gypsy jazz with unique and powerful music.

2. Alec Haavik&The Shanghai Shindiggers

The Alec Carnival Band was founded by jazz saxophonist and composer Alec Harveck from New York in 2017. The band is composed of orchestral groups, guitarists, pianists, singers, bassists, and drummers from countries such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Canada, specializing in creating interesting interactions between musicians and dancers.

The outdoor concert will open 100 free spots to the public. Opportunities are limited, first come, first served!

Event information:

Time: September 22, 2023 16:00-18:00

Location: Outdoor lawn at the former site of Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce

Address: No. 470 North Suzhou Road, Jing'an District

Participation method: The event is free of charge and the number of spots is limited. You need to scan the following QR code to register in advance. Successful applicants can enter the venue 30 minutes in advance

Participation Notice:

*The open quota for the event is limited. Please be sure to attend on time after registration

*Implement a one person, one vote system for registration