A concert that features Ancient Tang poems is set to hit the US next month to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and the 50th anniversary of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s historic 1973 tour of China. The program entitled Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems is set to be released on Jan 6 and 7,2023 in Philadelphia and New York. iSING! Suzhou and The Philadelphia Orchestra present the program. The show, led by former Philadelphia Orchestra Assistant Conductor Lio Kuokman, features ancient Chinese lyrical texts(剧本)from young composers who were selected from the 2020 iSING! Composition Competition.
The 2020 iSING! Composition Competition is a five-month-long process of selecting winning composers from more than 200 entries from nine countries. The panel of judges included Hao Jiang Tian, well-known bass(男低音歌手), iSING! founder and artistic director. Founded in 2011, iSING! Art Festival is the first international vocal art festival in China. Since 2014, over 380 singers from more than 30 countries have been selected to come to China to participate in the annual iSING! Suzhou Art Festival. Poets of the Tang Dynasty featured in the incoming program Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems include Li Bai, Bai Juyi, Du Fu, Du Mu, Zhang Ji, and Wang Bo.
“I was initially worried about being able to connect both historically and culturally,” said Fernando Buide del Real in an official press statement. “But I soon realized Tang poetic sentiments(诗意)are universal and go beyond geographical boundaries. During the COVID lockdown, I found resonance(共鸣)in Wang Bo’s poem about friendship, loneliness, and separation. The precision and depth of the Chinese language is amazing. Every character and every phrase is filled with meaning.”
January’s concert also aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 1973 tour of China. Over the past 50 years, the Orchestra has returned to China 12 times, more than any other US orchestra.
“I think this event is very important to China and the US, especially in terms of cultural exchanges,” Hao Jiang Tian said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, performing arts around the world has been greatly affected and impacted. Our incoming event integrates ancient Tang poems, new forms of music, and singers from 9 different countries—this is the first time in history. In the current situation, such performance is particularly important,” Tian said.
12. What can we learn about iSING! Art Festival?
A.It was established in the year of 2014. |
B.Its founders include Conductor Lio Kuokman. |
C.It is the first international vocal art festival in China. |
D.It is held every other year in Suzhou and Philadelphia. |
13. How did Fernando Buide del Real like Wang Bo’s poem?
A.He found it tough to understand. |
B.He couldn’t think too highly of it. |
C.He could hardly share Wangbo’s sad emotions. |
D.He felt its contents were unrealistic and strange. |
14. Which can replace the underlined word “integrates” in the last paragraph?
A.Affects. | B.Balances. | C.Inspects. | D.Combines. |
15. What can be a suitable title for the news report?
A.Tang Dynasty poems concert to celebrate Chinese New Year |
B.Poets of Tang Dynasty featured in Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems |
C.50th anniversary of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 1973 tour of China |
D.Process of selecting winning composers for 2020 iSING! Composition Competition |