A poster for Friday's concert. Image courtesy of Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra

This Friday evening, veteran Chinese opera singer Yan Weiwen, alongside his pupils, will present a vocal concert accompanied by the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra under the baton of young conductor and pianist Chen Yanlin.

Yan, a distinguished member of the art troupe of the PLA's General Political Department, has been a cherished part of Chinese collective memory for decades, having performed frequently on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. 

His most beloved songs, such as “The Little Poplar Tree,” “Mother,” “From the Bottom of My Heart,” and “The 1-2-3-4 Song,” often pay tribute to Chinese soldiers — portraying their resilience, sacrifice, longing for home while stationed in distant frontiers, and unwavering dedication to the nation.

Joining Yan in the concert are his gifted students, many of whom are acclaimed singers in their own right and have garnered awards at competitions both in China and abroad. 

Among them are Golden Bell Award winners Zhao Yue, Li Yongjun, and Gong Shuang, as well as rising talents like Dong Xiaohan, Liu Hanchen, Ma Xiaoming, Huang Xunguo, and Xu Jingjing. Each brings a distinct style and exceptional artistry, together reflecting the vibrant and flourishing landscape of Chinese vocal music.

The concert’s program has been meticulously curated, blending classical, folk, and contemporary pieces. Audiences will be treated to the familiar “Little Poplar Tree,” alongside folk classics such as the Shaanxi folk song “Lan Huahua,” the Yunnan melody “The Flowing Stream,” and the Kazakh folk tune “Dudaer and Maliya” — also widely known as “A Lovely Rose.” The repertoire also includes technically demanding art songs like “Mayila Variations” and “Spring Ballet.”

Conductor Chen, currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, also serves as assistant conductor of the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra. 

In 2023, he received the Most Promising Young Conductor Prize at the Wiener Schule Conducting Competition. Earlier this year, after hearing him lead the YMCG Greater Bay Area Symphony Orchestra in Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1,” renowned conductor Daniel Harding praised him as “a talented, energetic, and experienced young conductor.”

Tickets: 80-880 yuan

Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 12

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音樂廳)   

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children's Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D