Excerpt from letter to BSO from Governor Deval L. Patrick said:
"I understand that the BSO's performances with esteemed conductor Charles Dutoit in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou mark the orchestra's eagerly anticipated return to China since its historic visit there 35 years ago. That special tour marked the initial exchange precipitated by the signed cultural pact between the Unites States and the People's Republic of China, opening the door to decades of cultural exchanges between the two countries."
Excerpt from letter to BSO from Mayor Martin J. Walsh:
"The BSO has an impressive history serving as a cultural ambassador for the Unites States over many decades, and we are proud that it will represent our country and the city of Boston with inspiring performances for thousands over the course of your tour. Boston is the proud home of one of the world's greatest symphony orchestras. We are grateful for your role in representing our city on the international stage."
Excerpt from letter to BSO from Ambassador Sun Guoxiang, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York:
"I am pleased to be informed that, since its historic debut in China in 1979, the tour this year will mark the BSO's significant return as part of the joint celebration by China and the United States for the 35th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. The tour, as it did 35 years ago, will carry great importance beyond music and will convey, through the beautiful melodies, friendship between our two great peoples."
Excerpt from letter to BSO from Ambassador Akira Muto, Consul General of Japan in Boston:
"It goes without saying that the BSO and Japan share a deep friendship, one that began at least 41 years ago with the conductorship of Seiji Ozawa and the subsequent contributions of many other distinguished Japanese musicians. Fifteen years have passed since you last toured Japan, so I can assure you that a loving public is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Recently I had the good fortune to hear some of the pieces that you will be performing under Charles Dutoit, and I know that your Japanese fans will be thrilled."
Performances in Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts (5/1&2), the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, (5/4), and the Guangzhou Opera House (5/6) will mark the BSO's first performances in China since the orchestra made its historic 1979 tour there as the first U.S. orchestra to visit China after the establishment of diplomatic relations; the tour marked the opening exchange in the then recently signed cultural pact between the United States and the People's Republic of China. The Boston Symphony Orchestra will follow the performances in China with three concerts in Tokyo-the first BSO concerts in Japan since the orchestra's last tour there with Seiji Ozawa in 1999-with performances in the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (5/8) and Suntory Hall (5/9 & 10).
Boston Symphony Orchestra Tour Itinerary to China and Japan, May 1-10
Sunday, May 4
Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Shanghai, China
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Behzod Abduraimov, piano
GLINKA Overture to Russlan and Ludmila
RACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique
Tuesday, May 6
Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou, China
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Behzod Abduraimov, piano
GLINKA Overture to Russlan and Ludmila
RACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5
Thursday, May 8
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Tokyo, Japan
Charles Dutoit conductor
Janine Jansen, violin
MUSSORGSKY Night on Bald Mountain
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5
Friday, May 9
Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Janine Jansen, violin
GLINKA Overture to Russlan and Ludmila
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique
Saturday, May 10
Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Charles Dutoit, conductor
MOZART Symphony No. 38, Prague
MAHLER Symphony No. 5
For more information, check out the official Boston Symphony Orchestra website.