Vocal concert features Wu Bixia and Chinese ensemble

This Saturday evening, soprano Wu Bixia — renowned as the “Nightingale at the Crossroads of East and West” — will join forces with the “12 Ladies of Jinling” ensemble from the Nanjing Chinese Orchestra to perform beloved songs from the 1987 TV adaptation of “A Dream of the Red Chambers.”

A poster for Saturday's concert. Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

Audiences will be treated to timeless melodies such as “Ode to the Fallen Petals,” “Autumn Window: A Night of Wind and Rain,” and “Red Bean Song.” Composed by Wang Liping, these pieces were meticulously crafted over four years, with lyrics drawn directly from Cao Xueqin’s literary masterpiece. The songs poignantly express the characters’ love, sorrow, and lament for a fading world, resonating deeply with generations of viewers. The series became an instant classic, and Wang’s compositions remain enduring treasures of Chinese music.

Wu Bixia performs with the“12 Ladies of Jinling” ensemble in this file photo.

A professor at the Chinese Conservatory of Music, Wu has triumphed in numerous international vocal competitions and released over 20 albums. Her repertoire spans both Eastern and Western traditions, encompassing operas like Verdi’s “Rigoletto” and concertos such as Glière’s “Concerto for Coloratura Soprano and Orchestra.”

Since her 2005 debut performance of Wang’s “Dream of the Red Chambers Suites,” Wu has captivated audiences in more than 100 concerts. 

For this special event, she will be accompanied by 13 young virtuosos on traditional Chinese instruments—a nod to the 12 female protagonists and the male lead, Jia Baoyu, from the novel. The ensemble has reimagined the original orchestration and musical style, offering a fresh yet faithful interpretation of the work’s profound Oriental aesthetics.

Tickets: 280-980 yuan

Time: 8 p.m., April 19

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D