After a rather late finish following the Tianjin performance (arriving back at the hotel at 1am), it was time for a ‘free day’ in Beijing.
Although deemed a ‘free day’ there are still numerous activities around the tour that still go on.
At the start of the day Sydney Symphony Managing Director Rory Jeffes along with violinists Sun Yi and Ben Li did an interview with ‘China Daily’ newspaper (the largest selling English newspaper in China). Rory was then off to the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing where he and Mr Ashkenazy did another interview, this time to promote the orchestra’s concert in Qingdao.
Whilst all this media activity was happening, tour sponsor Tianda organised a trip for the musicians to the Summer Palace followed by a banquet feast. While a number of other musicians took the opportunity to head to the Great Wall.
And other musicians such as Principal Tuba Steve Rosse took the opportunity to visit the local Conservatories for master classes with the students. Here is a photo of Steve with students from the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing:
In the evening, the Australian Ambassador to China, Frances Adamson, kindly hosted a dinner for tour sponsor Tianda plus representatives from the orchestra.
Here is a slideshow of photos from the Great Wall:
