Uzbek Philharmonic, SZ chorus stage open-air concert in Futian

A symphonic celebration spanning continents unfolded tonight at the One Avenue Central Plaza in Futian District, where the “Five Continents Enjoy Together” concert brought together the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Uzbekistan and the Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theater Chorus for a free open-air performance.

A scene of the concert. Photos courtesy of the organizer

Presented by the Futian District Bureau of Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports, the concert transformed the city-center square into an international stage, combining a full symphony orchestra, choral performances and immersive lighting to entertain residents and visitors from around the world.

The evening opened with the iconic theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, whose majestic orchestration transported the audience into a cinematic vision of outer space.

Instrument players at the concert.

The mood then shifted with the haunting theme from Schindler’s List. Black-and-white images appeared on the giant screen as the emotional score filled the plaza, drawing the audience into quiet reflection.

A selection of Academy Award-winning film music followed, including themes from Cinema Paradiso, The Legend of 1900, Braveheart and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. The elegant tango from Por Una Cabeza added a passionate finale to the film music segment.

An expat listener enjoys the concert.

The powerful score from China’s sci-fi blockbuster The Wandering Earth resonated with the audience, echoing Shenzhen’s spirit of innovation and inspiring enthusiastic applause.

The concert’s second half shifted from Hollywood classics to music from around the world. Featuring 52 musicians, the Uzbek national orchestra blended Central Asian musical traditions with globally recognized orchestral works in a musical journey across five continents.

Audiences clap for the show.

Highlights included the energetic Brazilian Carnival, Verdi’s triumphant Aida March, Hedwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter series, and “Try Everything” from Disney’s Zootopia, which drew smiles from younger audience members.

The Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theater Chorus added a strong local artistic element to the performance.

Baritone vocals in Father’s Prairie, Mother’s River evoked the vast grasslands of northern China, while the soprano solo A Cup of Fine Wine, based on a Xinjiang folk song, showcased vibrant regional musical traditions. A choral rendition of the Brindisi from Verdi’s La Traviata energized the audience with its festive spirit.

The finale, Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot, brought the evening to a dramatic close. As the chorus and orchestra reached the final soaring notes, the plaza erupted in prolonged applause. Many audience members said they were delighted to enjoy an international-caliber symphonic performance free of charge in the heart of the city’s commercial district.

In conjunction with the concert, businesses along the Festival Avenue launched promotional offers, while Tianyuan Art Center and One Avenue’s North Zone offered discounted exhibition tickets, allowing visitors to combine cultural experiences with shopping and tourism.

According to the organizers, the festivities will continue Saturday evening with a concert by Cuba’s renowned Cumanay band to mark the 30th anniversary of its Havana Full of Music program. The band will also perform specially arranged versions of the Chinese classics Jasmine Flower and The Crescent Moon. 

The concert was free and open to the public, with both an inner seating area and an outer viewing area. A total of 300 tickets for the inner seating area were made available through reservations via the official WeChat accounts of 文旅深圳 (The official WeChat account of Shenzhen Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau), 幸福福田 (Futian’s official WeChat account), and 深圳艺文惠.