SHANGHAI, June 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai music students from GE ZHI Middle School and the Shanghai American School had the opportunity to meet stars of the Philadelphia Orchestra on Sunday June 2, during a special 'rehearsal' concert organized as part of Cigna's sponsorship of the Philadelphia Orchestra's 40th Anniversary Tour to China.
Pupils from the two schools enjoyed the special morning concert performance, before having a special opportunity to go backstage to meet with members of the prestigious orchestra.
The students, aged between 11 and 13, are all enthusiastic young musicians and play in the schools' respective orchestras.
"Cigna is proud to be the 40th Anniversary sponsor of The Philadelphia Orchestra's China residency tour," explained Mr. Howard Gough, Managing Director of Cigna Global Health Benefits, Asia Pacific.
"It has been a wonderful experience to see students from the Shanghai American School and the GE ZHI Middle School coming together in appreciation of music. In many respects, the two schools meeting over music and culture mirrors the symbolism of the two countries -- the US and China -- first coming together some 40 years ago, a momentous event that provided the opportunity for The Philadelphia Orchestra to undertake that very first tour in 1973."
"I would really like to thank the Orchestra's musicians for taking time to meet with and help foster some of China's next generation of young musicians."
Mr. Richard Harlow, a cellist with The Philadelphia Orchestra for some 37 years, said: "The Orchestra always enjoys it when we have the opportunity to play or rehearse in front of student audiences."
"These children represent the future of classical music in China and we hope that we can play a small part in passing on a legacy of music appreciation to the youth of China during our residency tour."
Louise Davey, Middle School Band Director at Shanghai American School, said: "Today's concert has been a wonderful opportunity to see life-long learning and experience in action and is a real inspiration to our students to practice more!"
"We really appreciate the rare chance to enjoy live classical music and the opportunity to meet the musicians in person," remarked Ms. Wu, music teacher at GE ZHI Middle School. "This has been a vivid experience, beyond just the theory of classical music, for all the children."
Underscoring its commitment to the health and well-being of China, Cigna is the Anniversary Sponsor of The Philadelphia Orchestra's 40th Anniversary Tour of the People's Republic of China May 31-June 9. The tour celebrates the Orchestra's 40th anniversary visit while signaling the future, as the tour runs concurrently with the Orchestra's innovative new residency program that will bring classical music to China's major cities and further into its provinces.
The tour, coupled with the first-of-its kind residency, is a full circle moment for The Philadelphia Orchestra. Paying homage to the relationships created by Maestro Eugene Ormandy and the Orchestra when visiting four decades ago, the events and programs planned during the 40th Anniversary Tour highlights the ongoing commitment of The Philadelphia Orchestra to creating cultural bonds that drive further artistic innovation.
Cigna's history in China dates back to 1897, when INA, a Cigna predecessor company, became the first American company to write insurance in China. In 1994, after a 43-year hiatus, Cigna opened an office in Beijing. In 2003, Cigna formed its joint venture in China with China Merchants Group affiliate to sell individual health, life and accident products. In the years that followed, this successful operation -- Cigna & CMC Life Insurance Co. -- grew into a business that includes expat plans for globally mobile employees of Chinese and non-Chinese multi-national corporations, and individual private medical plans and serves one million policyholders across nine provinces.
Tour dates, cities and key details for The Philadelphia Orchestra's 40th Anniversary Tour have included:
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where Cigna employees live and work.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 75 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Cigna & CMC
Cigna & CMC Life Insurance Co., Ltd. ("Cigna & CMC") was established by Cigna and a China Merchants Group affiliate in 2003. Founded in 1792, Cigna Corporation is one of the largest insurance companies in the US. As early as 1897, a Cigna predecessor company was the 1st American insurance company operating insurance business in China granted by the Qing Dynasty Government. China Merchants Group ("CMG"), founded in 1872, is one of the earliest enterprises in Chinese enterprise modernization process in recent China history. Cigna & CMC was awarded Best Foreign Life Insurance Company Award in China for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009 by China Financial Times and The Institute of Finance and Banking of Chinese Academy of Social Science. Cigna & CMC topped in the overall competency ranking among all joint venture life insurers in China in the 2010 Asia Insurance Competency Ranking Research Report conducted by California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) and 21st Century Business Herald. For more information about Cigna & CMC, Pls. visit www.cigna-cmc.com.
The Philadelphia Orchestra and China
In 1973 The Philadelphia Orchestra, under Eugene Ormandy's direction, became the first American orchestra to perform in the People's Republic of China, at the special request of President Richard Nixon. The Orchestra returned to mainland China 20 years later, in 1993, again in 1996, and also in 2001, led by Wolfgang Sawallisch on each occasion. In 2008 Maestro Chistoph Eschenbach led the Philadelphians in a 35th Anniversary Concert commemorating its historic to China. Two years later, in 2010, Maestro Charles Dutoit and The Philadelphia Orchestra helped to open the World Expo in Shanghai.
Eight musicians who were on the 1973 trip remain in the Orchestra today: Violinists Herold Klein, Herbert Light, Booker Rowe, and Jerome Wigler; violist Renard Edwards; double bassist Michael Shahan (associate principal bass); harpist Margarita Montanaro (co-principal harp); and percussionist Anthony Orlando (associate principal percussion). The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long and distinguished touring history throughout the world and is one of the most-traveled American symphonic ensembles.
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Renowned for its distinctive sound, beloved for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for an unrivaled legacy of "firsts" in music-making, The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the preeminent orchestras in the world.
The Philadelphia Orchestra has cultivated an extraordinary history of artistic leaders in its 112 seasons, including music directors Fritz Scheel, Carl Pohlig, Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Riccardo Muti, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and Christoph Eschenbach, and Charles Dutoit, who served as chief conductor from 2008 to 2012. With the 2012-13 season, Yannick Nezet-Seguin becomes the eighth music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Named music director designate in 2010, Nezet-Seguin brings a vision that extends beyond symphonic music into the vivid world of opera and choral music.
Philadelphia is home and the Orchestra nurtures an important relationship not only with patrons who support the main season at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts but also those who enjoy the Orchestra's other area performances at the Mann Center, Penn's Landing, and other venues. The Philadelphia Orchestra Association also continues to own the Academy of Music -- a National Historic Landmark -- as it has since 1957.
Through concerts, tours, residencies, presentations, and recordings, the Orchestra is a global ambassador for Philadelphia and for the United States. Having been the first American orchestra to perform in China, in 1973 at the request of President Nixon, today The Philadelphia Orchestra boasts a new partnership with the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The Orchestra annually performs at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center while also enjoying a three-week residency in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and a strong partnership with the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.
The ensemble maintains an important Philadelphia tradition of presenting educational programs for students of all ages. Today the Orchestra executes myriad of education and community partnership programs serving over 45,000 annually, including its Neighborhood Concert Series, Sound All Around and Family Concerts, and eZseatU.
