World-class performers are just the ticket
Eunice Huang, 23, has taken part in the China Shanghai International Arts Festival for three years.
This year, she doesn’t need to take a train from her hometown of Nanjing in Jiangsu Province to attend the event as she is enrolled in a master’s degree program in arts management in Shanghai.
“In the past two festivals, I watched over 10 performances in total. The number probably will rise this year since I study in Shanghai. The city has a vibrant arts scene, just like the China Shanghai International Arts Festival which annually presents many high-quality performances by world-renowned artists or groups. This is one of the reasons why I came to Shanghai,” said Huang.
On the first day of ticket sales, Huang rushed to buy tickets for three events — 12Hour Special Activity and two concerts by Ricardo Shay and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and by Rainbow Chamber Singers at Gongqing Forest Park.
All the programs are part of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival’s “Art Space” series.
“I will attend the outdoor concerts with my boyfriend. Both of us are aficionados of classical music. The Lucerne Festival is one of the leading international music festivals. It is really exciting that I can get a glimpse of the festival without flying to Europe. Therefore, when I heard the news, I immediately decided to buy tickets,” said Huang.
More than 100 “Art Space” performances from 27 countries and regions will be staged at outdoor and indoor venues across the city.
Some of the shows will be streamed online.
Apart from traditional theaters and parks, communitybased activity centers will also host shows including concerts, dramas, dances, operas and puppet shows.
“The ‘Art Space’ program intends to create a theater without barriers,” said Li Ming, the festival’s vice president.
Providing easy access to arts for ordinary people is the goal of the “Art Space” program, which echoes the festival’s motto, “A Festival of Arts, a Gala for All.”
A number of performances are free to the public who can book tickets on the festival’s official website (http://www. artsbird.com).
Even though the 12-Hour Special Activity and “Forest Concert” charge, prices are affordable, ranging from 30 to 100 yuan (US$4.4-14.5).
“The price is almost nothing considering the high level of the performances,” said Huang.
Held in Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park, the “Forest Concert” allows audiences to “go out of the concert hall and have an outdoor experience.”
During the three-day music festival beginning on October 19, participants can enjoy concerts by prominent art groups such as the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Rainbow Chamber Singers and Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti and Coro Lirico Siciliano.
Themed on “Play Arts,” this year’s “12-Hour Special Activity” held in Shanghai Urban Lawn Music Plaza commemorates the 190th anniversary of Schubert’s death.
World-class art troupes such as Orfeó Català from Spain and Paavo Järvi and Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich will present concerts during the monthlong arts gala.
To attract more families, the “12-Hour Special Activity” has a puppet show area for parents and children. Children can make their own puppets.
“The outdoor concerts are more casual and relaxed. We don’t need to pay much attention to the etiquette, like wearing formal dress and being silent during the concerts that are held in music halls. For me, attending outdoor concerts is more like an outing, enjoying music while communicating with friends,” said Huang.
However, Huang admits she is a little bit worried about the weather. As an experienced concertgoer, her advice is to bring rain gears, windbreakers, picnic blankets, hot water and snacks.