'New Era, New Beijing' concert at NCPA Thursday

Since 2015, the National Center for the Performing Arts has presented new commissioned works at concerts with different themes every year.

This year, at a concert on Thursday, the focus will be on the theme "New Era, New Beijing", with the premiere of eight songs by Chinese composers about Beijing. Among these will be My Beijing, written by composer Yin Qing and lyricist Chen Xiaoqi, The New Beijing, written by composer Zang Yunfei and lyricist Wang Xiaoling, and Beijing Waltz, written by composer Hao Weiya and lyricist Qiao Fang.

Chinese singers, including tenor Jin Zhengjian, mezzo-soprano Yang Yanting and soprano Yao Hong, will perform, along with the China NCPA Orchestra and China NCPA Chorus under the baton of conductor Lyu Jia.

Among the composers is Yang Fan, whose work, Fly With the Dream, will be performed at the concert by tenor Liu Songhu. The young composer, who works with the China National Symphony Orchestra, drew inspiration from his own experience of moving to Beijing at a young age to pursue his music dream

"Both the lyricist, Yin Xiangtao and I, like many young people living in Beijing now, left our homes at a young age to chase our dream in Beijing, a city, which now has become our new home," Yang said.

During the concert, the audience also will hear Ode to Beijing for Piano and Orchestra, written by renowned Chinese composer Du Mingxin, and orchestral pieces featuring Peking Opera elements, including Bell and Drum Tower, selected from the symphony chorus, Beijing Chorus, and composed by Tang Jianping. It will be performed by soprano Li Xintong and Peking Opera performer Liu Mingzhe.