Taiwan’s National Symphony Orchestra Sofa Concerts Open to Limited Public Audience beginning May 24

Taiwan’s National Symphony Orchestra (also known as the Taiwan Philharmonic) is privileged to not only be among the few symphony orchestras today performing together live, but also be among the first to invite audience members back to the concert hall, marking an important milestone for the arts and culture industry. Under the leadership of music director Maestro Shao-Chia Lü, this Sunday, May 24, the NSO will present the first “NSO Sofa Concert,” inviting 500 people to watch in person. The NSO is partnering with Taiwan Public Television and the National Theatre and Concert Hall to also bring this and more upcoming concerts to the rest of the world by livestream on YouTube.

Today, May 22, Taiwan's Ministry of Culture announced the Central Epidemic Command Center's (CECC) support for the “Rules for Opening Cultural and Arts Organizations,” allowing the NSO to invite a live audience to join the reopening of the concert season this Sunday. This will be the first time that people in Taiwan can attend events in a performance hall since the beginning of March, when the CECC announced social distancing regulations.

The Ministry of Culture emphasized that the implementation of the program will allow more people to enjoy exhibitions and performances while taking precautions against the epidemic and maintaining the health and safety of the people. At this time, the national level venues – including the venues of central government agencies and administrative corporations – will reopen first, with broader openings to follow based on the development of the epidemic.

Following guidance from Taiwan's CEEC, which has managed the country's epidemic response, the NSO has adopted numerous measures to keep its musicians and support team safe while maintaining the symphony's dedication to musical excellence through in-person rehearsals, recording sessions, and now returning to live performances.

As the NSO invites audience members back, the CECC still requires event organizers to conduct risk assessments, properly plan events, and formulate epidemic prevention contingency plans. Some requirements have already become standard operating procedures for most businesses throughout Taiwan including wearing facemasks, measuring the body temperature of everyone entering the building, and properly spaced seating. For this Sunday’s concert, the NSO can accommodate up to 500 concert attendees in the hall.

Additional measures the NSO has taken include an adjusted orchestra seat layout for increased spacing to 1.5 meters, the addition of clear plastic guards around orchestra members whose instruments preclude wearing masks, and enhanced disinfection protocols throughout the hall before and after performances.

The NSO thanks the CECC for their expert guidance, and the great care they have taken for the Taiwanese people in general, and the members of the NSO team specifically who have worked with the CECC through this challenging period.

The NSO particularly appreciates the cooperation of Taiwan Public Television and the National Theatre and Concert Hall for enabling it to deliver a worthy online performance experience. The NSO is excited to continue its musical journey with the music enthusiasts in Taipei and around the world.

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2020/5/24 Sun. 19:30

LÜ & NSO I

SHAO-CHIA LÜ, conductor
National Symphony Orchestra

Program:
Antonín Dvorák: Serenade in D minor, Op. 44
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op.4 8
Yu-Shian Deng: Bang Chhun Hong (Longing for the Spring Breeze) (arr. by Tyzen Hsiao)

Streaming Address: https://youtu.be/zBrCS6KELyM

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2020/5/30 Sat. 19:30

LÜ & NSO II

SHAO-CHIA LÜ, conductor
National Symphony Orchestra

Program:
W.A. Mozart: Serenade No. 10, "Gran Partita”
Antonín Dvorák: Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22

Streaming Address: https://youtu.be/EwwXf04MbHE

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2020/6/12 Fri. 19:30

LÜ & NSO III

SHAO-CHIA LÜ, conductor
National Symphony Orchestra

Program:
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92

Streaming Address: https://youtu.be/akUZH-Pd8b