Giving the gift of songs

The China NCPA Chorus, the resident chorus of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, will launch its first independent season since it was established on Dec 8, 2009.

On Monday, the yearlong schedule of the China NCPA Chorus was announced at the NCPA, under the theme of the "Voice of Harmony".

"In our diversity of artistic programs, such as choral concerts, operas, symphonic concerts, audiences can experience how wonderful and powerful choral works are. We are excited to showcase the progress and growth of the China NCPA Chorus with programs arranged throughout this year," said Zhang Yao, vice-president of the NCPA, in Beijing on Monday.

The concerts include Chinese music — folk songs, art songs and contemporary work — as well as choral arrangements of classic opera arias, and will be held at the three venues of the NCPA.

On Thursday, under the baton of conductor Lyu Jia, the China NCPA Chorus will perform the choral symphony, Beijing Cantata, composed by Meng Weidong and Tang Jianping, with lyrics by Zou Jingzhi.

Featuring five movements, the piece, commissioned by the NCPA in 2018, and which premiered in 2019, portrays the beauty of the ancient capital. Each of the five movements is named after an iconic landmark in the city, such as Tianqiao, the old entertainment area, Yongdingmen, the front gate of Beijing's old city wall, also known as the Gate of Perpetual Peace, and Tiantan, the Temple of Heaven.