Music for May Day holiday

For those who prefer a leisurely staycation on their home turf, Shenzhen Concert Hall has prepared three shows to spice up their May Day holiday. Whether you are a fan of Chinese instruments, vocals, strings or the piano, there is something for everyone this week.

Zheng music with a modern twist

On May 3, zheng (Chinese plucked board zither) player Song Xinxin and her troupe will perform seven pieces of various styles as well as an original mini musical featuring this instrument. The audience will hear traditional folk pieces such as “Swing Fun” and “Lotus,” composer Qin Wenchen’s mesmerizing “The Sun Shadow, IV,” and composer Chen Zhe’s “Da Wu” and “Spicy Sudoku Hotpot” for the zheng and percussion. 

The Su Zheng Ensemble led by Song Xinxin (C in 1st row). Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

The mini musical “Stereotypes” is a humorous and innovative attempt to blend zheng music with theatrical performance, which features a song from Yuju opera “Hua Mulan” and focuses on the biased stereotypes of women in society.

Song, a graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, is a winner of the prestigious Wenhua Award and the Golden Bell Award for Music. She founded the Su Zheng Ensemble in 2020, trying to bridge the gap between Chinese traditions and contemporary styles by absorbing influences from various music and art forms.

Tickets: 180-680 yuan

Time: 8 p.m., May 3

Lily Girls Choir

On the evening of the Chinese Youth Day, the audience will be able to enjoy Chinese folk songs and modern choral compositions performed by the Lily Girls Choir.

The Lily Girls Choir.

This accomplished group of 11-17-year-old girls from Shenzhen Senior High School have won multiple awards at international choral competitions and wowed audiences across the globe.

Hu Manxue, conductor of the Lily Girls Choir. 

Saturday’s program will include songs inspired by ancient Chinese poems, ethnic minority songs, Chinese pop songs, as well as pieces from other cultures. Think of “Lavender’s Blue,” “Nightmare” by György Orbán, and Joshua Shank’s “Sleeping Out: Full Moon.”

Tickets: 50-200 yuan

Time: 8 p.m., May 4

Violin, cello and piano

This Sunday afternoon, fans will hear the works of Shostakovich, Edvard Grieg, Schubert and Chopin performed by the classical chamber music trio of the violin, cello and piano. 

The concert will feature pianist Bi Cong, violinist Liu fangxi and cellist Zhang Hui.

(From L) Liu Fangxi, Bi Cong and Zhang Hui.

Bi, born into a musician’s family in Guangzhou, studied the piano at the Julliard Pre-College and the New English Conservatory. Juilliard professor Robert McDonald once described him as “an extremely talented and promising pianist."

Tickets: 10-30 yuan

Time: 3 p.m., May 5

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

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