Sound of Shanghai

«Sound of Shanghai» is a large-scale audiovisual composition conceived as an «opera of a cosmopolis». The work interweaves live performance, traditional and electronic sound worlds and cinematic projections into a multidimensional portrait of the city. It transcends the symphonic form, integrating music, image, technology and environment into an immersive artistic experience.

Kunqu soprano, Chinese orchestra, guzheng orchestra, ruan orchestra, jazz trio, female choir, children’s chorus, electronic sounds and field recordings

Instrumentation Details

The work brings together a diverse and cross-cultural instrumentation:

— Vocal forces: Kunqu soprano, female choir, children’s chorus and women’s chanting.
— Traditional instruments: Sheng, Bianqing bells, Ruan and Guzheng.
— Western and modern elements: Jazz trio and electronic sound design.
— Sound design and technology: Brainwave-generated sounds and spatially diffused electronic layers.
— Environmental materials: Field recordings captured across urban, industrial and natural sites of Shanghai.

Parts

The following four compositions may be performed independently in concert:
— 1. «Welcome to the Future!» for large Chinese orchestra (2024).
— 2. «Where Dreams Begin» for guzheng orchestra, incorporating a female choir and sheng (2024).
— 3. «Where Dreams Begin» for soprano and ruan orchestra (2024).
— 4. «Where Dreams Begin» for jazz trio (electric guitar, electric bass, drum set) (2024).

— Nicosia Municipal Theatre (European Premiere)
— Tianshan Cinema, Shanghai Hongqiao Art Center (Asian Premiere)

— United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations
— Opening Ceremony of the Chinese Film Week in Cyprus
— 55 Years of Diplomatic Relations between China and Cyprus

— Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
— Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus

Performers

Kunqu Opera Singer: Zhao Jinyu
National Chinese Orchestra
Jinqi Ruan Orchestra
Guzheng Orchestra of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Jazz Trio at Lincoln Center Shanghai
Electric Guitar: Zihao Liu
Double Bass: Donghuan Zhu
Drum Set: Jialin Guo
Chorus of the Shanghai Haipai Qipao Culture Promotion Association
Chorus of the Shanghai Xiao Ke Dou Music Kindergarten, etc.

Conductors: Qiang Wu and Yao Qi

Software Programming and Sound Installation Setup: Shihong Ren
Light System Programming: Xiangyu Deng

Cinematography, Editing and Coloration: Kostis Nikolas
Audio Production: Nick Elia
Recording Engineer and Spatial Audio Reproduction: Iverson Zhende Xu and Siwei Music Engineering Design Group (Shanghai) Ltd.
Photography, Videography and Behind-the-Scenes: Tatiana Khodova
Production Coordination: Sissi Wu

MJElia Production Studio

Direction: Marios Joannou Elia