The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), one of the world's leading orchestras, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to launch their 2007 tour of China. The visit will feature performances in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou on April 19-24 under the direction of the LSO's Principal Guest Conductor Daniel Harding.

The concerts will include Mahler's Symphony No 5, Chopin's First Piano Concerto, Beethoven's Violin Concerto and Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique. Performances will feature internationally acclaimed Chinese pianist Lang Lang, who joins the London Symphony Orchestra as piano soloist in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann, who will perform in Beijing and Shanghai.

This is the LSO's second China visit, following a successful tour program in 2004 in celebration of the Orchestra's centenary. The 2004 tour was also sponsored exclusively by Rolls-Royce plc, a world-leading provider of power systems and services. Rolls-Royce, the LSO and (Beijing) Poly Culture and Arts have collaborated to develop a community outreach program around the tour.

Three conducting students at the Central Conservatory of Music have been selected to conduct members of the London Symphony Orchestra in one movement of Dvorak's Symphony No 9, with guidance from both Mr. Harding and members of the LSO. The master class, the first held internationally by the LSO, will be held in Beijing Poly Theatre on April 20.

Complimentary tickets have been distributed to local charitable organizations and academic institutions in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. These include charitable organizations In Touch for China, Beijing School for the Blind and Loving Heart Association, as well as British Schools in China that will invite outstanding pupils to attend performances.

Performance dates and venues are:
Beijing: April 19 and 20 at the Poly Theatre
Shanghai: April 22 and 23 at the Shanghai Oriental Concert Hall
Guangzhou: April 24 at the Xinghai Concert Hall

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