STORY: Philadelphia Orchestra heads to China, celebrating over 50 years of musical diplomacy
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 24, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 27, 2024
LENGTH: 0:03:09
LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA, U.S.
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MATIAS TARNOPOLSKY, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts
3. various of performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MATIAS TARNOPOLSKY, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts
5. various of performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra

STORYLINE:

The Philadelphia Orchestra is embarking on a historic tour of China on Sunday, with stops in Beijing and several other Chinese cities, rekindling a bond established over 50 years ago.

The orchestra is set to perform four shows at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, along with one show each in Chengdu and Tianjin, and two shows in Haikou, the capital of Hainan province.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MATIAS TARNOPOLSKY, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts
"The Philadelphia Orchestra's relationship with China is unique. The Philadelphia Orchestra was the first American orchestra to visit China in 1973. And if you think about this, it predates actual diplomatic relations between our two countries by six years. We have now developed multi-generational connections with the people of China. Very often, I hear stories from people around my age who tell me, 'My parents were at that concert in 1973, and we remember it to this day.' So for us, this multi-generational connection with the people of China is incredibly, incredibly important."
   
Beyond the concert hall, the orchestra has built a deep connection with communities across China.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MATIAS TARNOPOLSKY, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts
"Since 1973, musicians from the orchestra go to schools, universities, hospitals, and civic centers, and make connections with young Chinese musicians also through some of the many important associations that we work with in China. Our musicians travel to China also separately from the orchestra. Most recently, a year ago, we were there with a group of musicians who celebrated 50 years of relationship with the people of China, in several cities with performances of chamber music, teaching activities."
   
The orchestra's tour in Chengdu this year will also include a side-by-side concert with the Chengdu Symphony Orchestra.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Philadelphia, U.S.
(XHTV)