Cherishing its tradition of promoting classic music, the Beijing Concert Hall will continue its annual music season for the 18th year, which will bring masters and rising talents together on one of Beijing's oldest stages and with absorbing educational lectures.

Running from February 26 to November 25, the 2011 International music season of Beijing Concert Hall falls into four categories: the International Piano Season, International Chamber Music Season, Concert Opera Season and Sunday Music Salon, according to Guan Xia, artist director of the event, also director of China National Symphony Orchestra.

As a major part of the concert hall's yearly Gateway to Music project, this year's event will highlight chamber music and opera, which are to be held for the first time at the hall.

"Thanks to the financial support of the Beijing government, we were able to hire marketing experts to design the programs for this year's music season. The primary goal is to update our concept of popularizing music, helping expand horizons, thus to make the performance not only better but also more internationalized," Guan added.

The piano season will feature more internationally renowned pianists onstage, making it one of the most expected events in town, according to the organizer. Among the names include American pianist Peter Vinograde, best-known for his interpretations of Bach; Russia-born young talent Alexandre Moutouzkine, laureate of numerous international competitions including the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition; and China's most distinguished two-piano duo Sheng Yuan and Lang Yueting.

To popularize the concept of chamber music, the organizer will invite Bradley Garner, one of America's most exciting flautists, German trumpeter Reinhold Friedrich as well as chamber musicians from China's leading orchestras China National Symphony Orchestra and China Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the Opera Concert Season, the new category of the season, the concert hall will put three operas on stage, with Gaetano Donizetti's comic gem Don Pasquale to be staged in Beijing for the first time.

To boost audience's appreciation of the performance, pre-talks will be held during the season, expounding on the background of the composers and their works.

The Sunday music salon will feature 11 sections, which touch on topics related to music and everyday life. Running from March to May, the salon will expound on the art of appreciating music, with interactions with chamber musicians and an introduction to the rock music in the UK as well as the craft of singing popular songs.

Where: Beijing Concert Hall

When: February 26 to November 25

Tickets: 30 yuan to 380 yuan

Contact: 6605-7006