Pingshan plans 200+ events for Spring Festival

Conductor Sylvain Leclerc interacts with a young audience member during the Orchestre Philharmonique Parisien’s New Year concert at Pingshan Theater in Pingshan District on Friday. Photos courtesy of the theater and Pingshan Media Center

Music enthusiasts gathered at the Pingshan Theater in northeast Shenzhen’s Pingshan District on Friday for a New Year concert presented by the Orchestre Philharmonique Parisien from France.

Under the baton of conductor Sylvain Leclerc, with Igor Ferlan serving as concertmaster, the orchestra opened the concert with the classic Chinese New Year tune, Li Huanzhi’s “Spring Festival Overture.” 

Conductor Sylvain Leclerc takes a bow after finishing his performance at Orchestre Philharmonique Parisien’s New Year concert at Pingshan Theater on Friday.

Tenor Victor Dahhani and mezzo-soprano Yana Boukoff perform during Friday’s New Year concert at Pingshan Theater.

The Orchestre Philharmonique Parisien’s New Year concert at Pingshan Theater on Friday.

This was followed by a delightful selection of easy-listening Western and Chinese compositions, including the Chinese folk song “Jasmine Flowers,” Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2,” Khachaturian’s “Waltz” from his “Masquerade Suite,” Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5,” and several lively polkas by Johann Strauss Jr. Tenor Victor Dahhani and mezzo-soprano Yana Boukoff also graced the stage.

At a pre-concert gathering, attendees enjoyed performances by Dahhani and Boukoff, who sang iconic Western pieces, such as “Habanera” and “O Sole Mio.” The atmosphere was further enhanced by live Chinese festive music, embodying the spirit of the approaching Chinese New Year. A wall decorated with red packets invited guests to take photos for good luck in the New Year.

A pre-concert gathering at the Pingshan Theater on Friday.

Tenor Victor Dahhani performs at the pre-concert gathering at the Pingshan Theater.

Additionally, Pingshan District announced its plans for events during the eight-day Chinese New Year holiday, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, inviting residents and tourists from around the world to experience its unique cultural charm and local features. 

While details about over 200 holiday events will be announced later, some highlights have been revealed, including opportunities to win gifts while touring the Pingshan Culture Center, participating in an ancestor worship activity at Dawan Ancestral Residence, enjoying ballads at the Pingshan Cultural House, engaging in interesting activities at Pingshan Children’s Park, and learning about Spring Festival customs at Pingshan Library.

It was also announced that the English play “Murder on the Orient Express,” from London’s West End, and the Chinese-language musical “The Brothers Karamazov” will be staged at the Pingshan Theater this year, along with Yang Liping’s dance drama “The Peacock,” set to be presented to audiences this week.

A poster of Yang Liping’s dance drama “The Peacock,” to be staged Jan. 17-19 at Pingshan Theater.