Spectacular Performance "Bravo China & Greece" Staged in AthensAttracting a large turnout of audience, a spectacular performance titled "Bravo China & Greece" was successfully staged on Wednesday evening in the Herod Atticus Theater in downtown Athens, a well-known ancient theater built in 161 B.C."Bravo China & Greece," a great treat for the andience, was billed as a celebration for Greece and China, both of which have had brilliant ancient civilizations and are currently preparing to host the next two Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008 respectively. The spectacular performance linking two different cultures and their artists featured an impressive parade of internationally acclaimed artists such as singer Nana Mouschouri of Greece and soprano Huang Ying of China. Lively and brisk rhythm of "Happy News" accompanied the raising of the curtain. Conducted by Hu Yongyan, the music shows a strong sense of revelry and serves as an excellent beginning of the gala. Renowned Er'hu player Ma Xiao-hui told the audience a love tragedy of a pretty young girl named Lan HuaHua in her Er'hu concerto. All the people present were impressed by her adept skill with her wonderful sliding and bowstringing. Nana Mouskouri, whose songs have reached every corner of the world, performed "Athina" with her daughter Lenou and her own orchestra. Thunderous applause was the award from the audience. Liu Huan, dubbed "the best voice in China," performed together with Nana Mouskouri the romantic Chinese song "Crescent Moon" for their duet. After singing of a famous Greek song composed by Mano Hadjidakis "Ta Pedia tou Pirea" ("The boy of Pireus"), four leading singers from the two countries performed a brand-new song "Eternal Love" which was especially composed by Su Yue for this show. Su is a famous composer and music producer, who is also a member of China's Association of Musicians. Some of the most well-known artists like Yang Liping, Lu Siqing, Huang Doudou, Zeng Gege and Feng Xiaoquan also gave their multifaceted performance. Present at the gala were Vice President of the Greek Parliament Constantinos Gitonas, Greek Cultural Minister Evangelos Venizelos other senior officials from Creece's Foreign Ministry and other government departments. Chinese ambassador to Greece Zhen Jianguo was also present at the gala, which is directed by Liu Tiemin, an outstanding director with the China Central Television (CCTV). The melodious music was conducted by Hu Yongyan, a renowned conductor, who currently serves as the music director and conductor of the Shanghai Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. The event was organized by China Central Television and Shanghai Oriental Television and supported by Chinese embassy to Greece. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |