Flanked by leadership from the Expo Bureau, the US Consulate General, the State of Pennsylvania, and the USA Pavilion, the Shanghai Expo Bureau Deputy Director General Mr. Huang Jianzhi and the Philadelphia Orchestra Vice President and General Manager Mr. Stephen Millen signed a Memorandum of Understanding at a press conference this afternoon.

"Not only is the Philadelphia Orchestra a world class organization, but it also has a historic and friendly relationship with China. It is fair to say that the Philadelphia Orchestra is a cultural ambassador between China and the United States", commented Deputy Director General Huang, "Since its first performance in Beijing and Shanghai in 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra has performed in China four times. We believe the tribute performance by the Orchestra next year will not only bring excitement to the first inaugural week of Expo, but also will mark another historical page in China-US relations."

The Orchestra will perform during the first week of the Expo, on May 7, at the brand new, state-of-the-art Expo Performance Center. The Performance Center, currently under construction, will have a capacity to seat 18,000.

"We are honored and excited about performing for the World Expo in Shanghai" said Philadelphia Orchestra Executive Director and CEO Frank Slattery. "The Philadelphia Orchestra prides itself on its role as a cultural ambassador, for the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States. We look forward to sharing our music with the residents of Shanghai and the many visitors to the World Expo, and to writing a new page in our historic relationship with China."

J. Mickey Rowley, Pennsylvania's Deputy Secretary for Tourism, represented the State of Pennsylvania and delivered a message of support from PA Governor Ed Rendell "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is extremely supportive and proud of the Orchestra and its plan to perform at the Shanghai Expo. The Orchestra is an incredible ambassador for the city of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, and represents our strong desire to support Shanghai in its drive to hold the largest Expo in history."

The 2010 Expo is expected to be the largest ever in terms of sheer size and attendance. Under the leadership of US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the US confirmed its official participation in the World Expo on July 10, 2009. Shanghai Consul General Beatrice Camp witnessed today's signing and commented "this occasion marks another step in the US's commitment to the Expo. With the USA pavilion now under construction, we are thrilled that a major American cultural organization such as the Philadelphia Orchestra has also demonstrated its support for Shanghai and the Expo. Music is a great unifier of countries and people, as the Philadelphia Orchestra has shown time and again in its distinguished history."