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Ningbo returns with its 2023 Vocal Competition

Competitions

One of China's oldest cities, Ningbo is a formidable base for classical musicians

 

Ningbo is one of China's oldest cities, with a history dating back to the Hemudu culture in 4800 BC . Once known as Mingzhou, Ningbo was known as a trade city on the silk road at least two thousand years ago. Established in 738, Ningbo-Zhousan Port is now well-developed and is one of the busiest in the world.

Despite being a city of 9 million, Ningbo feels a bit like Singapore. Its tidy roads are lined with shady trees and beautiful gardens. Its nicely paved footpaths are wide and free of the ever-present street vendors you may see elsewhere, and scultures and street art can be found in a lot of places. You will see countless stylish shops along the avenues, but also busy mega malls following the latest trends.
While motorcycles are all electric, old cars and trucks that blow black exhaust fumes have been replaced with brand new cars. And a bike-sharing system makes it easy both for locals and tourists to get through the city.
The city has a very impressive history museum with a stunning design, symbolizing water and mountains. Its walls are made from millions of pieces of old tiles and concrete covered bamboo. But there are also many old parts of the city, some completely rebuilt in the old style, but fitted with facilities such as air conditioning and CCTV.
Wisely blending old and new, Ningbo has kept its local atmosphere but at the same time developed beautifully, without losing its identity.

Ningbo Port- among the largest in the world

The people of Ningbo have always been good at trading. They run their own businesses. One big difference, however, is the way they talk… Ningbo people usually speak loudly- louder than elsewhere. They consider this manner as a proper way to show their sincere hearts. Even school teachers would wonder if a child is healthy or not if they cannot make a strong speech!

Tianfeng Tower, Ningbo

 

While Ningbo is a very old city with many century-old traditions, its classical music scene is relatively young. In 2004, the city opened the state-of the art Ningbo Grand Theatre, which houses a 1,500-seat opera house with full cruciform stage, a multipurpose conference hall seating 800, a meeting center, library, banquet facilities, and restaurants. The complex was designed and constructed in just 42 months—a remarkable achievement considering the size of the site and the sheer scale of the work. Ningbo also has a concert hall and an orchestra- the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, which serves as orchestra for the Ningbo International Vocal Competition.

One of China's major international music competitions, the Ningbo International Vocal Competition is held every three years. Formerly named the China International Vocal Competition, the event was held in Beijing in its first year in 2000, and later moved to Guangzhou in 2002. Since 2005, the competition has been held in Ningbo and has attracted over 1,600 competitors from over 40 countries. Since 2018, the event has been jointly held by the Central Conservatory of Music and the Ningbo municipal government.

 

2023 Ningbo International Vocal Competition

2-11 December 2023/ Ningbo, China

More information and application: https://en.nbso.org.cn/review.html

 

©WFIMC 2023