Australia-China Council
Sydney Symphony China Tour 2012: Music, Cultural Diplomacy and Shared Experiences
We have been one of many proud supporters of the ground-breaking 2012 China tour by Australia's leading cultural envoys - the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
The Sydney Symphony travelled to China in October 2012 for a concert tour and collaborative residency programs with its major partner Xinghai Conservatory in Guangzhou and masterclasses at the Shanghai Conservatory. The tour was also a concluding element of the official program to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Australia and China which marked by a commemorative event hosted by the Australian Embassy hosted a following the Beijing performance of the orchestra.
The tour took Sydney Symphony to China's six major metropolises - Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Guangzhou and Wuhan where it performed at sold-out venues. In Guangzhou , in addition to the performances, the orchestra's Principal Conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy led the sectional rehearsals and workshops with the Sydney Symphony Principles and the Xinghai Conservatory student orchestra.
The tour reaffirmed the Sydney Symphony's partnership with the Xinghai Conservatory. The MOU between the partners was signed prior to the tour by Rory Jeffes, Managing Director in the presence of NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell.
Members of the Sydney Symphony also joined the Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for the Arts in his official visit to China in December 2012 where students and staff at the Xinghai Conservatory participated in workshops conducted by the Sydney Symphony's Sun Yi, Associate Principal Violin and Kim Waldock, Head of Education in the presence of the Minister and his Chinese counterparts.
Following the tour, the Sydney Symphony has signed a further two cooperative agreements with the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing and the Guangzhou Opera House. These partnerships will enable cultural exchanges, musician residencies and the transfer of arts management skills.
Media:
The Sydney Morning Herald - ‘Diplomacy conducted on a grand scale’
The Australian – ‘Music strikes a chord with Asia’
Australian Ambassador to China, HE Frances Adamson speaks about the Sydney Symphony China Tour