Russian conductor Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra gave a performance at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre on October 26. Photos: Courtesy of Beijing Performing Arts Centre

Russian conductor Valery Gergiev Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Performing Arts Centre

Renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra amazed Chinese audiences at the newly established Beijing Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday evening, becoming the first international mega-orchestra to perform at the venue.

They delivered a night to remember with classic compositions such as Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Pictures at an Exhibition, Firebird, and more. Backed by the top-tier acoustics at the new venue, the artists dazzled the audience with their exceptional skills and passionate performance.

Gergiev enjoys a significant following in China for his signature style of conducting with a toothpick. A devoted fan surnamed Wu, who has followed Gergiev's performances from Shanghai to Beijing, told the Global Times that Pictures at an Exhibition and Firebird are heavyweight works capable of carrying an entire concert. She emphasized the genuine commitment to the performance, as the program featured additional pieces, showcasing their sincerity.

When the conductor faced a backlash from Western music institutions after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many Chinese netizens condemned the West for using its own "double standards" to vent anti-Russian sentiment toward innocent Russian artists.

The performance in Beijing served as a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and bring people together in harmony.

Before the main concert began, Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra opened with We Walk on a Wide Road. The spirited, resounding melody brought the audience closer and instantly won a passionate cheer and applause for this special "gift" to the Chinese audience.

The evening continued with the Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. Gergiev led the orchestra in creating a unique musical experience, marked by mesmerizing, ethereal melodies distinct from the typical Russian orchestral style. The familiar Pictures at an Exhibition delighted the Chinese audience with its colorful and vivid musical imagery, showcasing Gergiev's and the orchestra's exceptional command of music. 

The second half of the concert featured Stravinsky's full score for Firebird, a piece reserved by the Mariinsky Theatre. Gergiev and the artists delivered an electrifying performance filled with powerful impact and intensity. The concert hall's exceptional acoustics provided a robust audio experience, making the audience's connection with the music even more profound. As the final note echoed, the entire hall erupted in thunderous applause.

"We are very much enjoying the new hall here… I hope there is a good future for many, first of all the brilliant Chinese musicians, but also for [artists] coming from other countries," Gergiev said after the performance. 

Thomas Wulfrank, a Belgian acoustician who joined in the design of the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, told the Global Times that he was satisfied with the new hall, and was amazed by the concert as this was the first time he got to enjoy a Russian concert, which was different from a German concert. He expects that more cultural exchanges like this will take place in the future.