Musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra Return to China for Ensemble Performances and Residency Activities, Continuing Longstanding Commitment to People-to-People Connection through Music

October 10–18, 2025 

The first American orchestra to perform in China in 1973, The Philadelphia Orchestra has built a unique relationship with Chinese audiences for over half a century through musical collaboration

Concerts and activities in Qingdao, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou to take place during Orchestra’s 125th anniversary celebration

(Philadelphia, September 19, 2025)—As part of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary, ten musicians of the ensemble will travel to China for performances and residency activities that further the Orchestra’s longstanding commitment to people-to-people exchange through music. Building on the full Orchestra’s celebrated 2024 Tour of China, this visit will mark the group’s first trip to Qingdao and will include return visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. 

“The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 125th celebration must naturally shine a spotlight on the ensemble’s longstanding role as a global cultural ambassador,” said President and CEO Ryan Fleur. “The Philadelphia Orchestra and the people of China have cooperated on musical engagement for over 50 years. We look forward to continuing to build bridges across borders and cultures through musical collaboration, artistic dialogue, and friendship, as we honor the longevity of this relationship through generations.”

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s signature residency program has created a two-way exchange that showcases artistic excellence on stage and demonstrates an enduring commitment to offstage work in education and engagement. The October 2025 visit will include the following activities:

 

• A pop-up performance at the Tsingtao Haitian View & Art in Qingdao (October 10).
• A side-by-side concert with musicians of the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra at the Qingdao Grand Theatre, featuring a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, a work famously performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra during its inaugural visit to China in 1973 (October 11).
• A pop-up performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing (October 12).
• A performance at the United States Embassy in Beijing (October 13).
• A chamber music session with musicians of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, for students of ShanghaiTech University (October 16).
• A side-by-side concert with musicians of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra at ShanghaiTech University (October 17).
• A side-by-side concert with the Zhejiang Provincial Symphony Orchestra at the Grand Canal Theater in Hangzhou, featuring a performance of Mason Bates’s “Spring River Flowers by Moonlight,” which the Orchestra gave the world premiere of during the 2024 Tour of China (October 18). The performance is part of the Liangzhu Forum, which will also feature a special video with musicians of the Orchestra filmed at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hangzhou, during its opening ceremony.

 

The following musicians will participate in the residency:

Christine Lim, violin

Marc Rovetti, violin

Daniel Han, violin

MuChen Hsieh, violin

Eliot Heaton, violin

Marvin Moon, viola

Che-Hung Chen, viola

Hsiang-Hsin Ching, viola

Priscilla Lee, cello

Alex Veltman, cello

 

About The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Touring History in China

The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long and distinguished touring history, connecting with people around the world through music, and is one of the most-traveled American symphonic ensembles. In 1973, under the direction of Eugene Ormandy, The Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American orchestra to perform in China. Since that historic visit, the Orchestra has returned 13 times, most recently in 2024. The Orchestra has developed deep, impactful connections throughout China through concerts and residencies that serve as a cultural bridge for people-to-people exchange. This 50+-year relationship with the people of China continues today in concert halls, educational institutions, and civic settings with various long-term partners.

Residency Supporters

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2025 China Residency is made possible through the generous support of Lead Sponsor Bank of China. The Orchestra is grateful to its tour partners—the United States Mission in China, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries—whose support and collaboration make the 2025 China Residency possible. 

Additional support for this residency comes from the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, White and Williams LLP, and Ruder Finn, the official communication partner for the 2025 China Residency.

Mason Bates’s work based on the Tang poem “Spring River Flowers by Moonlight” was co-commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the China International Cultural Association, with additional support from the US-China Cultural Institute, in memory of Shirley Young.