New York Philharmonic Announces China Tour in Summer 2024

The NY Phil will be the first full American orchestra to appear in mainland China since the outbreak of the pandemic

The New York Philharmonic will become the first American orchestra to tour China in the post-COVID era. The orchestra announced that from June 27 to July 7, 2024, it will undertake a tour of Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai, with symphonies by Brahms, Copland, and Mozart on the program.

The program will also include the Chinese premiere of Nina Shekhar’s Lumina, as well as selections from Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn with baritone Thomas Hampson.

The orchestra will also participate in a partnership program with the Shanghai Orchestral Academy. Players will offer masterclasses and lessons to the Shanghai students, as well as a side-by-side rehearsal led by Jaap van Zweden and a celebration concert on July 7.

No full American orchestra has appeared in China since 2019. However, in the summer of 2023, Jaap van Zweden led the NY Phil on a tour of Taiwan and Hong Kong, after which a delegation of nine players traveled to Shanghai for the resumption of in-person activities through the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Partnership.

"As the New York Philharmonic plans our return to China this June, it is an honor to again take on our mantle as an American cultural ambassador, building on the bonds we’ve been developing in the region over decades," said Gary Ginstling, the New York Philharmonic's President and CEO.

"We look forward to being inspired as our musicians work directly with the talented Shanghai Orchestra Academy students, and to the poignancy of our orchestra performing with Jaap van Zweden in their final concerts together before an overseas audience as he approaches the end of his tenure as Music Director."