Music festival: Shanghai sings the '60s' praises

Japanese film director Shunji Iwai will perform at the Shanghai's annual Music in the Summer Air festival. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Thus started their mythical love story, which began in Paris in 1969.

Birkin left Gainsbourg in 1983 and married director Jacques Doillon. But Gainsbourg could not forget her and dedicated an album to her before his death in March 1991.

After Gainsbourg passed away, fans of the couple urged her to sing his songs. So, she and some artists first performed Gainsbourg's songs in 1996.

In 2002, Birkin decided to introduce him to younger audiences and sing his songs at different events.

After the earthquake and the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima in March 2011, Birkin flew to Japan to perform in a concert.

During this trip, she met Japanese composer Nobuyuki Nakajima, who later became the artistic director of her tour to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Gainsbourg's death－Jane Birkin Sings Serge Gainsbourg Via Japan.

Early this year, the Symphonic Orchestra of Montreal proposed to create a recital called the Gainsbourg Symphonic.

Birkin said yes and invited Nakajima to work with her. Philippe Lerichomme, her artistic director, then advised to make it a world tour.

On July 9, Birkin will sing Gainsbourg's songs with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, while Nakajima will play the piano at the Shanghai Symphony Hall.

Besides the pop icons, MISA is also offering world-class classical music.