NCPA On Stage

In an intimate conversation, the great Spanish guitarist Pepe Romero looks back on a lifetime of music and meaning. As his Farewell to Asia tour reaches Beijing, he shares stories of love, memory, and the timeless beauty of the guitar.

In this special Mid-Autumn episode of NCPA On Stage, we explore the enchanting sounds of the dizi—China’s 7,000-year-old bamboo flute. Discover how this instrument’s vibrating membrane creates its unique resonance, and journey through Northern folk melodies, Southern poetic traditions, and modern fusions. Join us for a cultural soundscape where tradition meets innovation.

A Chinese orchestra is divided into four groups: the wind, plucked strings, bowed strings and percussion including the instruments such as the erhu, pipa, and suona, etc. In this episode, you will listen to some of the greatest contemporary Chinese works presented by five renowned conductors and the top-notch Chinese orchestra-China National Traditional Orchestra.

Last week at NCPA, Chinese pianist Zhang Haochen completed a monumental feat – performing all four Rachmaninoff piano concertos plus the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in a single day. In this episode of NCPA on Stage, we have the privilege of hearing ZhangHaochen’s first reflections just hours after stepping off stage.

Today, we’re delighted to have one of the most celebrated violinists of our time—Mr. Ning Feng. A gold medalist at the Paganini International Violin Competition, Mr. Ning is renowned not only for his virtuosic technique and lyrical tone, but also for his dedication to bridging cultures through music. At the 2025 NCPA May Festival, Ning Feng shares his deep connection to Chinese composer Zhao Jiping’s Violin Concerto No. 1, reflects on interpreting Shostakovich, and explores how music bridges cultures.

Today we are honored to have one of the most celebrated cellists of our time — Jan Vogler. With a career that spans continents and collaborations with leading orchestras and artists, he is not only a brilliant soloist, but also an influential curator and cultural ambassador. Mr. Vogler is currently in Beijing for the annual NCPA May Festival, and over the past week, he’s brought audiences here unforgettable performances.

Today, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Maestro Paavo Järvi, a conductor celebrated for his dynamic interpretations and deep musical insights. He was here in Beijing on April 7th to lead the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in a captivating concert at China's National Centre for the Performing Arts.

Our guest today is Lin Li, a renowned Guzheng performer, a PhD holder in War Studies at King’s College London, and a passionate advocate for cross-cultural dialogue. With a background that spans from the prestigious Peking University to the halls of King’s College London, Lin Li has not only mastered the art of the Guzheng but has also dedicated her academic career to understanding the complexities of global politics and cultural identity.

Join us for a captivating episode of NCPA On Stage as we explore the expressive world of the erhu, often called the “Chinese violin”. We showcase the instrument’s rich history and evolving repertoire, revealing the erhu’s profound emotional depth and dynamic versatility. 02:05-04:16 LIU Tianhua: Bird Song in a Desolate Mountain 04:17-05:54 A’bing: The Moon Reflected on the Er-quan Spring 05:55-08:57 LIU Wenjin: Ballad of Northern Henan Province 08:58-12:52 CHEN Yaoxing: Battle Steeds Galloping Ahead 12:53-18:46 WANG Jianmin: Erhu Rhapsody No. 1 18:47-25:44 TAN Dun: Erhu Concerto Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 25:45-32:38 Bizet: Carmen Fantasy for erhu, piano, and string quartet

Ring in the joy and unity of the Chinese New Year with NCPA On Stage! Join us as we celebrate this cherished festival with a special concert featuring traditional Chinese music, vibrant melodies, and festive tunes that bring the vibrant spirit of the festival to life. Wishing you all a Happy Chinese New Year—may your year ahead be filled with health, prosperity, and joy!

Embark on an immersive journey into the world of the pipa—a traditional Chinese lute known for its expressive sound, diverse tones and timbres, and centuries-old history. We’ll discover the instrument’s versatility through ancient melodies, contemporary compositions, and its captivating fusion with Western instruments.

“Brazilian music is bit like Chinese food. You go to a Chinese restaurant. You see hundreds of different dishes on the menu. They’re all different, but you know they are Chinese”. Join us for an exclusive interview with the Chinese classical guitarist YANG Xuefei as we delve into the distinctive and diverse landscape of Brazilian music.

Join us for an in-depth discussion with Mr. Stefano Poda, the visionary behind NCPA’s production of Das Rheingold, where he directed and also handled choreography, set, and costume design. We’ll also speak with Ms. Wei Lanfen, the producer of this monumental opera, about the intricate process of bringing Wagner’s masterpiece to life.

Join us as we celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, or the Moon Festival, with a captivating concert featuring both traditional and contemporary Chinese music. This special performance captures the essence of the festival, a joyful time of reunion under the full moon. Immerse yourself in the music as we bring this cherished celebration to life.

Join us on NCPA On Stage as clarinetist Shen Tianyi shares insights on his debut album Sound of Imagination, his musical journey, and recent performances in China. Dive into this engaging conversation, enriched with beautiful music and Shen's unique perspectives on the art of clarinet.

In this episode, we invite you to experience a captivating concert by the Philharmonia, under the baton of Chinese-American conductor SHUI Lan, with the remarkable French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Join us for a musical journey featuring Elgar’s Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 20, Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”.

Explore the world of "La Fanciulla del West" through the eyes of Conductor Carlo Rizzi, Mezzo-Soprano Anastasia Boldyreva, and Producer Wei Lanfen. Get an inside look at how the NCPA brings Giacomo Puccini’s thrilling opera to life on the Beijing stage.

An exclusive interview with legendary pianist Yin Chengzong, exploring the creation, significance, and global impact of the Yellow River Concerto. Experience captivating music excerpts and personal stories from Mr. Yin's illustrious career in this profound journey into one of China's most iconic musical masterpieces.

Join us as we sit down with Chinese cellist Mo Mo. Discover his journey from Beijing to international stages, his profound influences from classical Chinese music, and his innovative collaborations with leading composers and pop artists like Tan Dun and Han Hong.Tune in for an engaging conversation and enjoy exclusive musical performances that showcase Mo Mo's versatile talent.

Join us for an exclusive interview with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as she delves into the inspirations behind her "Eden" recital, which recently captivated the Beijing audience.

Celebrate China's Dragon Boat Festival with a concert featuring four prestigious Chinese traditional orchestras conducted by Zhang Lie. Enjoy a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces, including Li Huanzhi's "Spring Festival Overture," Li Bochan's "Missing the Green," and Xiong Xin's "Xiangdiao Fantasy." Highlights include the guqin melody "Wild Geese Alighting on Sandbank" and "Torch Festival" from Wang Xilin's "Yunnan Tone Poem." This concert showcases the rich heritage and evolving artistry of Chinese music.

In this episode, we will explore "Phenomena," a Sheng concerto commissioned by the NCPA Orchestra. The program features European composer Bernd Richard Deutsch, Sheng virtuoso Wu Wei, and NCPA Orchestra’s Head of Artistic Planning, Tang Ning. They discuss the ancient Chinese mouth organ, the Sheng, and its unique integration into Western classical music.

Join us as we uncover the allure of Italian opera in China and delve into the captivating performance of Verdi's "Un ballo in Maschera" at NCPA. Discover the cultural harmony between East and West through music with Maestro LÜ Jia, the conductor of the opera, tenor Gianluca Terranova in the lead role, and Ms. Wei Lanfen, Director of the NCPA production department and producer of Un ballo in Maschera.

In April 2024, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, China, presented Richard Wagner’s enduring opera "The Flying Dutchman" for the third time. The production received enormous acclaim from Chinese audiences for its spectacular stage design and masterful performances. Today, we're diving into the world of Wagner's timeless masterpiece "The Flying Dutchman" and exploring NCPA’s latest production of this haunting tale with esteemed guests, conductor Marcus Bosch, bass-baritone Ólafur Sigurdarson (singing the title role), and Ms. WEI Lanfen, Director of the Production Department of the NCPA.