Tianjin Grand Theatre of Poly Cinemas and Vienna’s Artists Work Together to Fight against COVID-19
On February 6th, when the COVID-19 epidemic in China raged crucially in China, Wiener Symphoniker extended its greetings and blessing to Tianjin Grand Theatre of Poly Cinemas through video on which it performed an excerpt from the final movement of Beethoven’s Pastorale. The Orchestra also sent their wish that everything will get better everything will come back to life and become better after a stormand out of the depth of misfortune comes bliss.
On March 20th, when the pandemic hit Austria, Tianjin Grand Theatre also sent a letters and videos to Wiener Symphoniker, so that the staff can expressing the deep concern and consolation to their overseas counterparts. The video soundtrack was an excerpt from the final movement of Beethoven’s Pastorale as well. The letter wrote that Tianjin Grand Theatre thankeds Wiener Symphoniker for the previous video, “giving us courage and power”, and wishes them to “protect yourselves themselves well and play Beethoven’s monumental works in China in the near future”.
Tianjin Grand Theatre and Wiener Symphoniker regarded art as a bridge to build a profound friendship. Up to now, the audience still have fresh memories of the 2018 New Year’s Concert of Tianjin Grand Theatre performed by Wiener Symphoniker. According to the original schedule, Wiener Symphoniker will perform again in Tianjin in June this year. All fans are looking forward to its performance, but more uncertainties are exposed due to the epidemic.
The video from Wiener Symphoniker was sent by Nast, the General Manager of Wiener Symphoniker, to Xiao Hainv, the Deputy General Manager of Tianjin Grand Theatre. While the video from Tianjin Grand Theatre was made by Xiao Hainv and her colleagues and dubbed in German by Xiao. She told the reporters that she worked at the Dresden Music Festival in Germany, building a close relationship with the art troupes and artists in Germany and Austria, and that Nast was her colleague in Dresden. As the epidemic first broke out in China, he asked Xiao Hainv about the situation with great concern. Later, Wiener Symphoniker recorded a greeting video for the Chinese audience. Everyone was moved so much when they saw it.
The video sent to Wiener Symphoniker included the photos of rehearsing and performing in Tianjin Grand Theatre in 2018, the posters of Wiener Symphoniker, as well as present real scene of Tianjin Grand Theatre. On March 22nd, Wiener Symphoniker posted the video of blessings from Tianjin Grand Theatre on Twitter. The musicians said that they are looking forward to meeting the audience in Tianjin as soon as possible.
Xiao Hainv said that this year marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, so Chinese and Austrian musicians have always expected to communicate with his music. Wiener Symphoniker originally planned to come to China in June this year, playing Beethoven’s Eroica and Fate. “This time the video soundtracks of both sides adopted excerpts from Beethoven’s symphonies, so there was a special conversation with his music during the outbreak.”
Xu Jian, the Deputy General Manager of Poly Theatre Management Co., Ltd. and the General Manager of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province of Poly Theatre Network (one of the biggest theatre networks in China) said that performance industry has been greatly affected by the pandemic worldwide. When the epidemic raged crucially in China in the early stage, many overseas art troupes have sent audios and videos to express their wishes and condolences and cheer for us. The pandemic is currently spreading around the world. “Our artists all belong to a community of shared future, and we will never forget those overseas artists who gave us warmth and courage as we fought against the epidemic. At this moment, we also want to encourage them.” Xu Jian said, “we believe that we will certainly embrace pastoral scenery after the rain, enjoying beautiful melodies from Beethoven played by Vienna’s artists on the banks of the Haihe River.”