Shanghai Spring Music Festival 2025 Begins with a ‘Peace into the Future’ Concert

The 40th Shanghai Spring International Music Festival—which takes place from March 23 to April 9 and features artists and troupes from over ten countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Britain, the US, and Japan—started with a powerful opening concert on Sunday night called ‘Peace into the Future’. The festival’s impressive lineup of 56 stage performances includes 50 music concerts and six dance productions.

Since the first concert celebrates the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it has great historical significance. Shanghai baritone Liao Changyong and well-known Beijing actress Pu Cunxin provided voices for the evening’s performance of Lu Qiming’s moving symphonic work Ode to the Red Flag.

Additionally, this year marks the 55th anniversary of China and Italy’s diplomatic ties. The festival will showcase a variety of jazz, orchestral, and folk music in seven concerts with an Italian theme in celebration of this milestone.

A variety of classical and modern concerts are part of the festival’s varied offering. A Dream of Splendor will be presented by the Shanghai Opera House at the Shanghai Grand Theater on March 28. Two days later, Rodion Shchedrin’s Anna Karenina, Ballet in Three Acts will be performed by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra at the direction of Zhang Yi.

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra will perform classical works by composer Ye Xiaogang in a special concert on April 2 under the direction of conductor Chen Xieyang. In the meantime, Wang Yabin’s much awaited dance drama Journey to the West will make its debut on April 3 at the Shanghai Poly Grand Theater.

Young musicians are also given a chance to shine at the festival. At the Shangyin Opera House on March 28, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Percussion Orchestra will perform an innovative fusion concert featuring percussion with electronic, light, and sound elements.

With a variety of musical traditions cultural exchanges, and innovative performances, the 40th Shanghai Spring International Music Festival is sure to be a celebration of artistic brilliance and global harmony.