During the Shanghai Conservatory’s visit to Barcelona, both institutions have signed a new collaboration agreement that reinforces the cooperation started in 2024.
On 25 and 26 September, the Liceu Conservatory Foundation received a visit from the Shanghai Conservatory in China. The delegation was led by Ms Pei Xiaoqian, Director of the Board of Directors of that centre, who was accompanied by several Academic Directors and Professors. Over the course of two days, multiple activities were carried out as part of the joint institutional collaboration.
On 26 September, flute professor Ma Yong gave a flute masterclass for Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Later, with the collaboration of Casa Asia, the Confucius Institute Foundation of Barcelona and the Zhong-Xi-Qiao Intercultural Association, the Liceu Conservatory Auditorium hosted the LUNAR LEAP Concert – Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival concert, performed by teachers from the Shanghai Conservatory.
The event began with a speech by the Director General of the Liceu Conservatory Foundation, Dr Maria Serrat Martín, who welcomed all those present and highlighted the importance of the relationship that the Liceu Conservatory has had with China since 1999, which has been particularly strengthened since 2018 with various agreements and activities.
After that, Ms Pei Xiaoqian expressed her institution’s satisfaction at consolidating academic relations with the Liceu Conservatory and being able to present Chinese music in Barcelona. Finally, the Adjunct Consul General of China in Barcelona, Mr Hu Aimin, emphasised how much his Consulate values being part of these ties between educational institutions and the impact this has on students and musicians from both countries.
The musicians from the Shanghai Conservatory presented a programme of music from their country, preceded by works by Antonio Vivaldi and Gabriel Fauré. The Chinese music performed included classical and popular works by composers such as He Zhanhao, Chen Gang, A Kejian, Zheng Deren, Lei Zhenbang, Wang Yongxin, Wang Xinyang, Liu Zhuang, Yang Shaoyi, Ren Guang, Nie Er, Huang Yijun, Bao Yuankai, Li Yinghai and Gao Xian. The fascinating repertoire performed gave the large audience, which included a large number of Chinese citizens living in Barcelona, a wonderful introduction to the music of that country, as well as demonstrating the high level and well-deserved prestige of the musicians from the Shanghai Conservatory.