By Sofia Juarez

The China Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization that encourages the education of the Chinese arts, held an event at The Great Lawn on Tuesday, July 13th to welcome the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. The mission of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, who perform both locally and internationally, use their performance art as a way to expand the understanding of China’s vast culture and history. After performing at the Beijing Music Festival and the Beijing Pop Festival, the Shanghai Syphony headed to Manhattan to spread the knowledge and beauty of the Chinese musical culture.

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s presence in Manhattan is especially important, as it is the first and best ensemble of its kind in Asia, and formed the history of China’s symphonic music development. They have performed over ten thousand concerts and have merged with many notable artists. Guests who attended the performance included model and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, Angela Chen, Meredith Ostrom, Ted Forstmann, Jesse Frohman, Alice Mong, Peter Davis, Zang Toi, Beatrice Pei, Bee-Shyuan Chang, Hank Greenberg, Clive Davis, Geoffrey Bradfield and Chineese concert pianists Lang Lang and Luyuan Xing.


 Some guests sat down and relaxed on the lawn while others mingled among groups as they listened to the melodic sounds of the Shanghai Orchestra. Many thanks to the China Arts Foundation and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra; their presence in New York City is certainly appreciated!