An artistic summer at Concert Hall

If you think a classical music performer is necessarily serious, or even creepy, British musicians Michael Copley and Ian Moore prove otherwise in their incredible show “The Magic Flute.” A hilarious performance by duo The Classic Buskers will be held June 4 at the Shenzhen Concert Hall.

“The Magic Flute” is a brand-new show created by The Classic Buskers and magician Neil Henry based on Mozart’s timeless masterpiece “Die Zauberflote” with magic, flutes, panpipes and piano accordion.

Join the bird-catcher Papageno as he goes on a magical musical journey through fire and water meeting snakes, bears, wolves, flying boys, the King of the Sun and a very wicked Queen.

The show includes the famous Birdcatcher’s song, “Das Klinget So Herrlich,” with an orchestra of bells made up of children from the audience. You will also hear the famous “Queen of the Night” in a version guaranteed never to be forgotten!

The Classic Buskers, formerly Cambridge Buskers, have a knack for communicating their passion for classical music in two of the best ways possible — virtuosity and laughter. The audience leaves a Buskers concert both entertained and educated.

On June 9, The Original Band, whose members used to play for ABBA, will present a night of ABBA’s greatest hits, together with four new singers, June 9.

The Original Band members are Mike Watson, Roger Palm, Ake Sundqvist, Mikael Areklev, Johan Stengard and Per Lindvall. The new singers will be Christian Lindh, Johan Landqvist, Malin Kernby and Linda Frithiof. Accompanying singers are Jennie-Ann Smith, Angelica Jokisalo and Elene Persson.

The idea started in 2012 when some of the original ABBA band members got together for a recording session. The soon-to-be-released album “The Original Band ABBA Experience” is a taste of the performances with backing by the Sweden Symphony Orchestra and Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra.

On June 18, Beijing rock band Escape Plan will perform at the concert hall.

Escape Plan was formed in 2007 when they took on a new bass player and then signed to Beauty Life Co. In the beginning, their style was based on British pop, but later it turned towards indie pop with electro, new wave and post-punk elements.

In 2008, their song “We Get Married in 2008” was chosen to be the theme song of that year’s Midi Festival. The debut EP “Take Me Away” was released Aug. 8, 2008 and achieved remarkable sales.

In recent years, Escape Plan has been a frequent guest band at the Midi Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, Zhangbei Grasslands Music Festival and they were invited to Summer Sonic in 2011, the largest music festival in Japan.

Taiwanese teenager Ouyang Nana will give a night of cello solo June 23.

Israeli violin virtuoso and conductor Shlomo Mintz will give a recital on June 25.

Mintz gives master classes worldwide and is one of the main actors in the “Violins of Hope” project together with violinmaker Amnon Weinstein. The Violins of Hope participated in several events throughout the world.

Calling themselves “Exit,” the five-person a cappella outfit from South Korea will perform June 26.

Hoping to help listeners “exit” mundane life and feel freedom in music, the band has a versatile style that ranges from K-pop, folk, classical to rock and roll.

Founded in 2008, members of the all men’s group were in the same high school choir. They were the champion of an a cappella competition in their home country in 2009 and international competitions in Shanghai and in Taiwan in 2012.

Local music fans will be able to hear their popular songs “Isn’t She Lovely,” “You’re in My Heart,” “Every Day With You” and “Beautiful World.”

The group’s repertoire mixes in English, Korean and even Spanish songs, which explains why they are popular on YouTube.

Chinese pianist Li Yundi will perform Chopin’s ballades and preludes June 29.

Li has received top awards at various competitions. In 2000, Li was the first participant to be awarded the first prize at the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in 15 years. At 18 years of age, he was the youngest winner — and the first Chinese — in the competition’s history.

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, intersection of Hongli Road and Yitian Road, Futian District (福田区红荔路和益田路交汇处深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Longhua or Longgang Line, Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D

Source: Shenzhen Daily