‘A Glimpse of China’ with sounds of Cardiff

Cardiff University Chamber Choir recently opened a concert celebrating a partnership agreement made between Xiamen University and Cardiff University to boost international collaboration through strategic partnership with China.

The Reardon Smith Theatre was transformed into a stage of international cultural exchange on Thursday 17 November as the Xiamen University Arts group presented a versatile performance of traditional Chinese dance, song and instrumental music in a presentation titled 'A Glimpse of China: Chinese Dance and Music'.

The colourful and acrobatic performance of the Chinese group was contrasted with the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the Chamber Choir's performance of 'My soul, there is a country' by English composer Charles Hubert Parry - a powerfully uplifting and dynamic work that the choir sang with great passion.

Cardiff became the first city in the UK to twin with a city in China when it partnered with Xiamen more than thirty years ago and during that time Cardiff and Xiamen Universities have developed close collaboration in a number of fields of mutual interest. This partnership agreement is a manifestation of Cardiff University's long-standing relationship with China, with 49 formal academic links and strategic partnerships with universities across the country for both research collaboration and student exchange.

Dr Peter Leech, conductor of the Chamber Choir commented on their performance at this milestone event: "It was a great honour for us to be involved, especially as we were hugely impressed by the wonderful artistic talents of students and graduates at Xiamen University. Their multidisciplinary displays were breathtaking."

Professor Kenneth Hamilton, Head of the School of Music, said: "Our colleagues from Xiamen made a tremendous artistic impact..."

"Our own students are all the more excited at the prospect of visiting China next February, when one of our orchestras will be performing in Xiamen."