SHANGHAI, May 7, 2010 - Adding another historic milestone to its relationship with China, the Philadelphia Orchestra, at the Invitation of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, is set to perform at the brand new Expo Culture Center and honor its commitment and connection to the people of China as a cultural ambassador.

Performing exactly one week into the 6 month Expo, the Philadelphia Orchestra is the first event following the opening ceremonies and the only international orchestra invited by the Expo Bureau to perform at the brand new state-of-the-art Culture Center. The Expo tribute concert features Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit, who is touring internationally for the first time with the Orchestra, and soloist Stewart Goodyear.

"I have been looking forward with great anticipation to my first international tour with The Philadelphia Orchestra," said Orchestra Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit. "I am honored and excited to share the fruits of my partnership with the superb Philadelphians with audiences in China, especially at the World Expo in Shanghai."

For the Expo performance, Pianist Stewart Goodyear joins the Orchestra in a program primarily of great American classics, including works by Bernstein, Gershwin, and Copland. The concert is expected to conclude with a lively rendition of Tchaikovsky's iconic 1812 Overture.

"The Philadelphia Orchestra has long been a cultural ambassador, for the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States, and for classical music itself," said Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore. "We continue this tradition with our performance at the World Expo in Shanghai. We are particularly pleased to tour for the first time with Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit, who enjoys his own reputation as a global emissary for music. We are deeply appreciative to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Continental Airlines, as well as all our other sponsors, whose support makes this tour possible, and we look forward to this opportunity to share the artistry of our musicians and the power of music with audiences at World Expo in China."

Widely known as the first US orchestra to perform in China in 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra is the premier cultural ambassador in advancing the relationship between the US and China. Over the past 70 years, the Orchestra has been committed to its role as the cultural ambassador and been closely tied to both the glorious as well as troubled times in Chinese history. The earliest historic record documents that as early as 1940, during a period of great turmoil, musicians of the Orchestra performed a special benefit concert to aid Chinese hospitals.

More recently in June 2008, the Philadelphia Orchestra played a 35th Anniversary Concert at the Hall of the Nationalities in Beijing, commemorating their historic 1973 performance. The concert coincidentally occurred in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake tragedy and as a result, the Orchestra helped raise relief funds from the US business community and musicians personal donations.

Additionally, violinist Philip Kates, volunteered to fly to Mianzhu, one of the hardest hit cities in Sichuan, and played for the children who survived the earthquake at their playground and in a local hospital. During this 2010 China trip, Violinist Philip Kates and other three musicians took one day off from their tight touring schedule and returned to Sichuan to once again share their music with the quake-hit region.

The historic Shanghai World Expo concert on May 7 receives great support from both governments. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated her excitement and support in a letter to the Orchestra, "I was delighted to learn that the Orchestra will perform at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghaiˇ­" "Your participation in this Expo is particularly meaningful, given that the orchestra first began its commitment and connection to the people of China 36 years ago as a cultural ambassador."

J. Mickey Rowley, Pennsylvania's Deputy Secretary for Tourism, representing the State of Pennsylvania, delivered a message of support from PA Governor Ed Rendell "I want to personally thank the Shanghai World Expo Bureau for inviting the Orchestra to perform on this incredible occasion, and extend my person wishes for continued success as you deliver the world's largest and most successful Expo ever."

"Not only is the Philadelphia Orchestra a world class organization, but it is also a cultural ambassador between China and the United States", commented Deputy Director General Hu Jinjun, "Since its first performance in Beijing and Shanghai in 1973, at the special request of President Richard Nixon to serve as cultural ambassador in re-establishing US's bilateral ties with China, the Philadelphia Orchestra has committed itself to the cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties between two countries and thus is deeply loved by the Chinese people and audience. We believe this Expo tribute concert will mark another historical page in China-US relations and reflect the theme of 'Better City, Better Life'."

Expo Cultural Ambassador to the World, Grammy and Oscar winning composer and conductor, Tan Dun has also been touched by the Philadelphia Orchestra and among things, credits listening to their recordings as a child as the motivation behind his decision to study music. Tan Dun stated "This Orchestra ahs realized the dream between the East and West and holds a special place in my heart. The Philadelphia Orchestra is a beloved cultural institution that serves as an ambassador to the Chinese people.

From 1940 to 2010, music has been a great unifier of countries and people, as the Philadelphia Orchestra has shown time and again in its distinguished history. To carry on the historic tradition, Philadelphia Orchestra again joins hands with Chinese people in celebrating the spectacular event of World Expo and delighting global audience with world-class music.


About the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai

World Expo 2010 Shanghai China is the occasion for China to bring the world at home, and for the world to feel at home in China. By dedicating a 5.28-square-kilometer area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life," Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living.

The Expo will run May 1 - October 31, 2010. It is expected to attract 70 million visitors - more than any Expo in 150 years of Expo history. To date, 241 countries international organizations have confirmed participation in the Expo, the largest number in Expo history. The theme of the Expo, "Better City - Better Life", signifies Shanghai's commitment to green urban development and status as a major economic and cultural center. The Expo is sited in downtown Shanghai along both sides of the Huangpu River.

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Philadelphia Orchestra Tour History

The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long and distinguished touring history throughout the world. Just four days after its inaugural concert on November 16, 1900, it was already on the road, traveling to the neighboring city of Reading. Since that time, the Orchestra has crisscrossed the globe on a regular basis, becoming one of the most-traveled American symphonic ensembles.
In 1973, the Orchestra under 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 and Henry Kissinger. The Orchestra returned to China in 1993, 1996, and 2001, and marked its 35th anniversary of the historic 1973 visit with a gala concert in Beijing in 2008.

In 1999, The Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American symphony orchestra to visit Vietnam during its tenth tour of Asia. Wolfgang Sawallisch directed performances in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Orchestra musicians gave master classes at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music and a free gift concert to the children of Hanoi. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge accompanied part of the 1999 tour of Asia, marking the first time a Pennsylvania governor had participated in a Philadelphia Orchestra international tour.
The Orchestra's first tour of Asia took place in 1967, with performances in Osaka, Kanazawa, Nagoya, and Tokyo, Japan. It made its first visit to Korea in 1978 with subsequent visits to Korea in 1981, 1985, 1996, and 2005. The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2010 Tour of Asia will mark its 35th tour outside North America and 14th visit to Asia.
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About The Philadelphia Orchestra

Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra has distinguished itself as one of the leading orchestras in the world through a century of acclaimed performances, historic international tours, best-selling recordings, and its unprecedented record of innovation in recording technologies and outreach. The Orchestra has maintained unity in artistic leadership with only seven music directors throughout its history: Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912-41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08).
This rich tradition is carried on by Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit. Mr. Dutoit has a long-standing relationship with the Orchestra, having made his debut with the ensemble in 1980. Highlights of his second season include performances of Berlioz's Te Deum and Symphonie fantastique, part of Mr. Dutoit's four-year focus on the works of that composer, and a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Samuel Barber's birthday. During his tenure, Mr. Dutoit will also showcase the music of the Ballets Russes, continuing in the 2009-10 season with performances of Stravinsky's Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.
The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of more than one million music lovers worldwide through its performances, publications, recordings, and broadcasts. Each year the Orchestra presents a subscription season in Philadelphia, education and community partnership programs, annual appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and a three-week tour. Its summer schedule includes performances at Philadelphia's Mann Center for the Performing Arts, free Neighborhood Concerts, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please contact:
Katherine Blodgett/The Philadelphia Orchestra
Vice President, Public Relations and Communications
phone: 215.893.1939
e-mail: kblodgett@philorch.org
www.philorch.org
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About Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is the world's 18th largest economy, with a $533 billion gross state product (GSP), and home to 50 Fortune US 500 companies. Thousands of companies exporting from Pennsylvania, and over 1,400 foreign companies investing in Pennsylvania, have made it the fastest growing state in international business development. This is aided by Pennsylvania's extensive network of overseas offices in over 30 countries, including 2 in China.

Tourism is Pennsylvania's number 2 industry, and Pennsylvania is ranked number 5 in the US for overall travelers (business and leisure) and travelers from Asia are especially attracted to its breathtaking rolling hills vibrant outdoor recreation, stunning natural attractions and rich history. The city of Philadelphia, often know as the birthplace of America and where the US Declaration of Independence and US Constitution was written and signed, is one of the most popular international destinations in the United States.

Pennsylvania and China also have a deep and diverse relationship. We have offices in both Beijing and Shanghai, share a number of sister city relationships (Pittsburg-Wuhan, Philadelphia-Tianjin among others), many of our finest higher educational intuitions have partnerships with China's elite schools, and our tourism exchange is robust - with increasing numbers of Chinese tourists interested in exploring our history, schools and famous sites.

Pennsylvania also has an incredibly healthy bilateral trade relationship. China is PA's 3rd largest trade partner and over the last 5 years has been a source of more than $500million of investment into the state.

Contact Information:

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development:
Department of Community & Economic Development
Name: Rosemary Mape, Executive Director of Tourism Marketing
(717)705-6759
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
www.newPA.com | www.visitPA.com
http://www.philadelphiausa.travel

Pennsylvania's Representative Office in Shanghai:
The Pennsylvania Center
Suite A403, Tomorrow Square, 399 West Nanjing Road, 200003, Shanghai
Contact: Frank SUN 8621 2308 1128, franksun@pausa.org.cn
www.pausa.org.cn