A Perfect Finale | Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2024–2025 Season Closing Concert a Resounding Success

by Zhang Ying - 28.6.2025

“On the evening of June 28, the Qintai Concert Hall was aglow with light and music as the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra brought its 2024–2025 season to a majestic close with a concert version of the opera Carmen. The performance, marking the 150th anniversary of both the death of French composer Georges Bizet and the premiere of Carmen, paid heartfelt tribute to this timeless classic with a fusion of symphony, vocal performance, dance, and choral singing—a deeply emotional dialogue across time.

A Stellar Lineup

Conducted by the orchestra’s Music Director and Principal Conductor Fu Renchang, the concert featured a powerful cast including mezzo-soprano Zhang Yajie, tenor Chen Yongxi, soprano Cai Nan, baritone Zhang Jiaming, and bass Zhang Pengfei. They were joined by an exceptional choral ensemble comprised of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre Chorus, the Spring Tide Chorus of Jianghan University, and the ZhiYin Choir of Sino-French New City Foreign Language School. Adding a visual rhythm to the performance was a dance troupe led by young dancer Zhang Shilong.

A New Take on Carmen

Fu Renchang’s concert version of Carmen retained the original opera’s framework while tightening the structure to highlight Bizet’s musical drama. From her first note, Yajie Zhang’s portrayal of Carmen stunned the audience — her rich voice and fiery expressiveness vividly brought to life the free-spirited gypsy woman. Chen Yongxi’s Don José, with soaring high notes and emotional depth, captured the character’s inner conflict and anguish. Cai Nan’s Micaëla touched hearts with her pure and crystalline tone. Zhang Jiaming gave Escamillo a bold and magnetic presence, while Zhang Pengfei charmed the audience with his deep, mellow voice and relaxed portrayal of Corporal Moralès.

A Multisensory Experience

Under Fu Renchang’s baton, the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra masterfully conveyed Bizet’s exotic melodies and dramatic flair with vibrant rhythms and subtle color. As iconic arias like Love is a Rebellious Bird, Habanera, Flower Song, and Toreador Song rang out, the audience was transported—rediscovering classic melodies with fresh emotional resonance. The coordination between the orchestra, soloists, and choirs flowed seamlessly. The combined choirs brought renewed vitality to scenes like the children’s chorus and the cigar factory workers’ chorus. Meanwhile, the dancers’ swirling skirts and rhythmic stamping blended perfectly with the music, fully expressing the passion and wild spirit of Spain. Thunderous applause erupted as the audience cheered the musicians, dancers, and choirs.

A Glorious Season Finale

As an artistic masterpiece that transcends time, Carmen served as a fitting finale to the 2024–2025 season. This multi-disciplinary performance was more than a tribute to Bizet and his classic—it showcased the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra’s impressive operatic prowess and marked a brilliant chapter in the ensemble’s ongoing journey.

Special thanks to the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre Chorus, Spring Tide Chorus of Jianghan University, and the ZhiYin Choir of Sino-French New City Foreign Language School for their outstanding contributions.

Preparations for the orchestra’s next season are already in full swing. The Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra remains committed to enriching the city’s cultural landscape with high-quality performances and to exploring innovative intersections between symphonic and interdisciplinary art, promising audiences an ever more diverse musical experience.”

Translated from the Chinese. Link to original article here.