La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra joined forces with pianist Yujia Wang to treat the assembled Shanghai audience to a stunning performance of classical music.

Mr.Jiatong Wu with the conductor Semyon Bychkov and pianist Ms.Yujia Wang

On 17th September, the world renowned  La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra joined forces with pianist Wang Yujia to treat the assembled Shanghai audience to a stunning performance of classical music. As the official coordinator of the cultural program at the 2010 World Expo Shanghai’s Italian Pavillion, Wu Promotion has had the opportunity to once again bring the best of Italian performing arts to China, and form a bridge between the 2010 World Expo and the 2015 World Expo in Milan.

On this visit to China, the Scala performed works from their long standing repertoire, and the orchestra was led by the celebrated Russian-American conductor Semyon Bychkov. The evening proved to be a rare opportunity to experience the inspirational work of a globally acclaimed figure in the field of classical music. The ensemble performed works including the third intermezzo from Puccini's Manon Lascaut, Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana and Verdi's Nabucco Overture. The highlight was the William Tell Overture, which rarely can have sounded so fresh and exciting. In particular the Cavalry Charge section reached a special level of intensity, while Rossini's distinctive use of the horn highlighted the originality of the piece. Just as tasting a fine Tuscan red wine, it left the audience with so much to ponder.

Formerly a'Piano Prodigy', now a'Piano Princess',Wu Promotion was proud to bring together the young maestro Wang Yujia and the Scala Orchestra,whose collaboration on Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto was a true highlight.The 23 year old from Beijing,who started playing the piano at 6 years old,began studying at the Curtis Academy of Music in Philadelphia at the age of 15. At 16 she began to perform with professional orchestras, and for the past few years she has performed worldwide with the Shanghai Orchestra, displaying a unique talent for coaxing almost everlasting applause from entire audiences. The Xinmin Evening News wrote 'Wang Yujia's playing exhibits her quick-witted and passionate temperament, bringing an abundance of emotion to her concert performances'.

Pianist Ms. Yujia Wang playing with La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra

Of all the events resulting from the collaboration between Wu Promotion and the Italian Pavillion, the Scala Orchestra concert was perhaps the most dazzling. The concert not only opened the curtain for the Scala’s second tour of China, but also allowed a greater number of people to experience one of the world’s most acclaimed ensembles.