Held in Palais des Nations
On November 27th, a concert co-organized by the Permanent Mission of China, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and China National Opera House was held in the Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations. More than 1700 guests, including diplomats from other permanent missions, staff from international organizations and citizens of Geneva were present.
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The concert is composed of four pieces of Chinese and foreign music: Yellow River Piano Concerto, The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, Torch Festival and the Fourth Movement of Beethoven's Symphony Nr. 9. Impressed by professional and amazing performance of the Chinese musicians, all the audience stood up and applauded for a long time at the end of the concert.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador WU Haitao, Charge d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of China said music not only belongs to a nation but also belongs to the world. It transcends national borders and ethnic differences, connecting heart and soul of people. We hope that tonight's concert will help you better understand the aspiration and pursuit of beauty and peace of the Chinese people, and build a bridge between the Chinese dream and dreams of other countries.
Ambassador WU also stressed that Yellow River Piano Concerto embodies the spirit of tenacity and diligence of the Chinese nation, especially the unyielding heroism during the war against fascism. Next year is the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. I hope tonight's Ode to Joy in Palais des Nations will express our common aspiration for a better world.
Mr. Møller, the Acting Director-General of UNOG, said that music has been an important part of Chinese culture since the dawn of its civilization. Tonight's repertoire is a bridge between civilizations, featuring masterpieces from both Chinese and European classical music. It is in this union of different traditions where new and creative solutions are cultivated, empowering us to face the challenges of today.
Mr. Møller pointed out that the United Nations will celebrate its 70thanniversary next year. Together we will face challenges of ever-greater complexity, from promoting peace and disarmament, to reaching a meaningful climate agreement and to forging a new universal post-2015 development agenda. As we strive towards our vision of a brighter future, China's support is essential in sustaining the momentum of past achievements and in realizing future goals, throughout the world and in International Geneva.
The concert was conducted by Mr. YU Feng, the president of China National Opera House, with Miss. Mélodie Zhao, a well-known Swiss pianist of Chinese origin as the pianist, and Mr. DU Xuan, as the first violinist.