The China NCPA Orchestra, the resident orchestra of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), will perform a night of Verdi’s arias from the Italian composer’s operas, and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90.” Conductor Lyu Jia will wield the baton and soprano Song Yuanming and tenor Wang Chong will be featured. The concert is part of the orchestra’s nationwide tour this year.

The China NCPA Orchestra. Photo by courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

Verdi, noted for operas such as “Rigoletto,” “La Traviata,” “Aida,” “Otello” and “Falstaff,” came to dominate the Italian opera scene after the era of Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini, whose works significantly influenced him. This year marks the 120th anniversary of Verdi’s passing.

Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90” was written in the summer of 1883. In its first three movements, this work appears to be comparatively calm and serene until the finale, which presents a gigantic conflict of elemental forces.

Established in March 2010, the China NCPA Orchestra consists of highly accomplished musicians from around the world, who perform annually in more than a dozen opera productions presented by its home venue as well as in ballets and regular orchestral concerts in its own season. With a notably busy schedule, the young ensemble has fast established itself as one of the most adventurous and dynamic orchestras in the country.

Conductor Lyu has acted as music director of the Verona Opera House in Italy and artistic director of the Santa Cruz De Tenerife Symphony Orchestra in Spain. A highly acclaimed opera conductor, Lyu has led over 50 productions so far internationally. In Italy, he has been praised by critics as “a conductor who has a deeper understanding of Italian operas than the Italians themselves do.” In 2007, he was bestowed the President's Prize for his exceptional contribution to Italian culture.

A professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, soprano Song won first prize at the 48th Concours International de Chant de La Ville de Toulouse, as well as first prize and the Best Singer award at the 44th Antonín Dvorák International Vocal Competition in the Czech Republic, among others.

An alumnus of the 2014 Merola Opera Program, tenor Wang is an NCPA resident singer. During his studies in the United States, he became a member of Merola, a top U.S. young artist training program. Later he contracted with the San Francisco Opera, and joined the Adle Young Artist Program. He played Lord Arturo in “Lucia di Lammermoor” and won high praise from conductor Nicola Luisotti, music director of the San Francisco Opera. The same year he participated in “The Magic Flute” and “Luisa Miller” and held a concert with pianist Martin Katz.

Time: 8 p.m., April 16

Tickets: 80-880 yuan

Booking: WeChat account “szyyt_piao”

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (福田區深圳音樂廳)

Metro: Lines 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D