Two national orchestras, two programmes
On 23 May, Sergey Smbatyan conducts the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra with pianist Kong Xiangdong. Their programme draws on classical music from Armenia, France, Norway and Russia, giving the first evening a broad European and Caucasian frame.
The following night pairs the Royal Scottish National Orchestra with its music director Thomas Søndergård and violinist Lü Siqing. The Butterfly Lovers violin concerto provides the Chinese centre of a programme that also includes British music and the Great Highland Bagpipe. That is a particularly appealing combination for this setting: a major Chinese violin work and a sound associated with the Scottish outdoors.
Beyond the main stage
The garden programme also includes smaller-scale activity. On 23 May, the side stage combines music, health talks and interactive sessions with musicians and medical practitioners. On the afternoon of 24 May, the “I Want to Perform at Chenshan” choral carnival brings non-professional choirs into the festival.
Those daytime elements make this more than an orchestra temporarily placed on a lawn. They give the botanical garden a musical programme of its own, before the larger evening concerts take over.
Getting to the grassland
The festival runs on 23–24 May at Chenshan Botanical Garden, 3888 Chenhua Road, Songjiang (松江区辰花路3888号). Announced tickets span RMB180–980. Gate 2 is nearest the festival stage. The announced transport plan includes shuttles from Metro Line 9’s Dongjing station and return shuttles after the performances; confirm the departure arrangements with the festival when booking.