RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and José Serebrier in China ~ RTÉ NSO to Perform in National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra will perform in China’s prestigious National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing in the final concert of its summer season on Sunday, 23 July 2017. This concert is by invitation of José Serebrier, world renowned conductor and composer, who will conduct the 80 member RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in a themed concert entitled The Seasons. The programme features works by Verdi and Glazunov. Anthony Long, RTÉ NSO’s General Manager said: “In recent years, global stars including Lang Lang and Yuja Wang have captivated Chinese audiences, creating a strong market for Western classical music in China. It’s fantastic to have the RTÉ NSO perform in this illustrious venue and to get exposure to such a major international audience. I’d like to thank José Serebrier for creating this wonderful opportunity. I hope it’ll be a catalyst for building relationships with China’s music sector.” José Serebrier’s invitation to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra was inspired by the great public reception he received when he conducted the English Chamber Orchestra on tour in Dublin recently, “having fallen in love with the people and the beauty of the country”. José Serebrier said: “When China’s iconic National Centre for the Performing Arts invited me to bring an orchestra of my choice to conclude their Summer festival, I had the instant inspiration that Ireland’s RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra would be the perfect choice. NCPA’s invitation to me came as a result of the success of the concert I did in January with the China National Symphony Orchestra. Most of my previous appearances in China had been on tour with foreign ensembles, the Russian National Orchestra, Orchestra of the Americas and others.” He also added: “To perform in Beijing’s prime cultural centre is a special privilege and I am delighted to share this experience with Ireland’s RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. The festival this year has a theme “the seasons”, and I was asked to construct a programme around their theme. These are all works I have recorded with various orchestras. It makes for a rounded, beautiful programme.” Maestro Serebrier will be in Dublin to rehearse with the RTÉ NSO on 18 and 19 July before the orchestra leaves for Beijing on Friday 21 July. It is the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s first visit to China, and the concert will be attended by H.E. Dr. Yue Xiaoyong, the Chinese Ambassador in Ireland. RTÉ NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & JOSE SEREBRIER IN BEIJING Sunday, 23 July 2017 National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing Programme: Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani, The Four Seasons Glazunov: The Seasons, op. 67