“Ningbo” Symphony orchestra (China)

Ningbo Symphony Orchestra

Ningbo Symphony Orchestra (NBSO), founded at the end of 2015, is a public institution directly under Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, with the famous conductor, Professor Yu Feng serving as its artistic director. Since its establishment, aiming at “being first-class at home and well-known abroad”, NBSO has boldly innovated its employment mechanism, created professional atmosphere attracting more than 100 outstanding performers graduated from the world-famous conservatories of music to join. In 2017, the Orchestra initiated its first music season, having cooperated with famous conductors Yu Feng, Long Yu, Li Xincao, Lyu Jia, Zhang Guoyong, Xu Zhong, Yang Yang and Lin Daye, internationally renowned conductors Ulrich Windfuhr and Petr Popelka, violinist Ning Feng, cellist Qin Liwei, and famous pianists who appear both nationally and internationally. Apart from performing the standard orchestral repertoire, the orchestra often performs original symphonic works such as “A Gateway to the World”, “Ningbo Partita” and “Welcome to Ningbo”, while the national opera “Deer’s Call”, co-created with Ningbo Performance & Arts Group has won the national “Best Works Award”. The Orchestra has successfully participated in the performance activities for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Tian’anmen Square, the opening ceremony of the 15th Asia Art Festival, the opening ceremony of the China-CEEC Expo and other national cultural performances. They have toured in Italy, Poland, Bulgaria and South Korea. Through extensive cultural exchange activities, the Orchestra has further demonstrated the charm and elegance of Ningbo’s urban culture, and made positive contributions to spreading the voice and telling the story of Ningbo.  The orchestra is also a key force behind the summer open master classes with concerts held in every corner of the city, making music spread all over streets.  They are also involved in the Ningbo International Vocal Competition which in 2023 attracted 417 contestants from 5 continents and 43 countries. NBSO is becoming a beautiful “golden business card” of Ningbo City with its brand-new idea of organizing the orchestra, rigorous artistic pursuit and fruitful artistic achievements!

Abzal Mukhitdin, conductor

Abzal Mukhitdin received his degree from York University, UK and two diplomas for conducting from Almaty National Conservatoire, Kazakhstan. Since 1998 he has founded several music ensembles and institutions such as “Camerata of Kazakhstan” (1998), Astana State Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (1999), The Baisseitova National Opera and Ballet Theatre (2000), “La Primavera” chamber orchestra (2003), “Astana Opera House” (2013). Maestro Mukhitdin currently serves as permanent conductor of Astana Opera House and artistic director of Astana Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a frequent operatic and symphonic guest conductor, dividing his time between different orchestras and Opera Houses while also finds the time for chamber music and teaching conducting. A sensitive to artists and soloists, he has extensive experience accompanying some major artists of the world such as Roberto Alagna, Anna Netrebko, Marcelo Alvarez, Paek Kon-u, Denis Matsuev, Ildar Abdrazakov, Vadim Repin and many others. His conducting repertoire includes more than 1000 works of symphonic and chamber music and 50 opera and ballet productions. Maestro Abzal Mukhitdin conducted on many famous stages such as Carnegie Hall, Opéra Bastille, Dubai Opera, Opera di Roma, Teatro Carlo Felice, The Bolshoi Theatre, Mariinsky Theatre, De Doelen etc. The Inauguration performance of Astana Opera was broadcasted by Mezzo TV in 2015 and 2016.