On March 7th, soprano singer Gan Lulu and pianist Zhang Jialin will perform at the Minnan Grand Theatre, presenting the works of three renowned artists-Qing Zhu, Huaili Si, and Huang Zi-who were celebrated in the field of Chinese music a century ago. The performance will combine live performances with guided commentary.
Chinese art songs have a history spanning over a century. In 1920, the composition "The Great River Flows East" by composer Qing Zhu, written during his time studying in Germany, was hailed as a "pioneering work." Over the years, many exquisite art songs have faded into obscurity like pearls lost at sea. As a university professor and a musical duo, Gan Lulu and Zhang Jialin have dedicated decades to uncovering and promoting early art songs. This time, they brought the "Lost Treasures of a Century" Chinese Art Songs Concert to Xiamen, aiming to share these "hidden gems" with a broader audience.
At the concert, the two musicians will present classic works by Qing Zhu and Huang Zi, such as "Three Wishes for Roses", "I Live at the Head of the Yangtze River", and "The River Flows East", which are widely loved by music fans. They will also perform multiple Chinese art songs by German pianist and composer Qing Zhu's German wife, Hua Li Si, which were completed during the peak period of Chinese creation, showcasing the deep intersection of Chinese and Western music languages at the poetic level. In order to bridge the gap between high art and ordinary audiences, Zhang Jialin will serve as a live guide, providing in-depth explanations to analyze the creative background, poetic imagery, and clever combination of music techniques in the songs.
It is reported that after this concert, the curtain of the 2026 performance at the Minnan Grand Theater will also slowly open. The concert of musical star Alfie Boye, the play "Seeking Taste" starring famous actors Zeng Li and Li Zhixi, the dance and poetry play "In the Distance, Here" starring Tong Liya, the Chinese version of the musical "Fan Letter", the original Chinese musical "Baoyu", and the string language welcoming spring violin solo concert by Lin Pinren will be staged successively, bringing diversified artistic experiences to Xiamen audiences.
