Tradition meets choral innovation

"I plan to use our chorus' unique strength to present this vibrant folk music and cultural heritage from different regions of China. These folk songs are our treasures — they are what allow us to enjoy the lives we have today. These songs reflect the joy of ordinary people singing about their new lives in the streets, in the fields, and along rivers. The key is that they preserve the ancient voices of the people," says Wu, who will conduct a concert during the new season in November, performing choral pieces adapted from folk songs including The More We Sing, the Deeper Our Love Grows; Beyond the Horizon; and The Ballad of Ox Mountain.

Besides the five main concert categories, the chorus will continue to showcase its dual proficiency in both concert and opera performances. Highlights include Long March Suite, which will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Long March, an epic strategic retreat by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China that took place from 1934 to 1936.

The chorus will also participate in several NCPA-produced operas, including Red Sorghum and Aida.

Since the year 2026 marks the 270th anniversary of Mozart's birth, the choir will stage a concert version of Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) as a tribute. The chorus will sing in Chinese and be complemented by a vivid narration, allowing audiences to easily understand the characters and comedic essence of the work.

In addition, this new season will expand the "Weekend Concert" series in scale, building a deeper connection with the audience, according to Jiao.

"We always see ourselves as a bridge, connecting audiences with the concert hall and the broader world of art. We hope that this series serves as a starting point for people's musical journeys, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the enduring beauty of music," she says.