THE premiere concert for the Chinese tour of the internationally-renowned orchestra and chorus from Switzerland's Geneva Grand Theatre kicks off at Shanghai's Majestic Theatre on April 18.

　　The musicians and singers, known as ARTUMUSICA, are combined in an orchestra and chorus consisting of 150 professionals. It was founded in 1989 with the aim providing local Swiss audiences with quality opera and cantata performances.

　　In 1992, after the conductor Jean-Marc Aeschimann took the baton, the chorus' repertoire has focused mainly on Mozart's masterpieces as Aeschimann has a profound love for Mozart's works.

　　The orchestra and chorus are well known throughout Europe and around the world. It has toured France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Japan, South Korea and Syria.

　　According to the China Culture and Art Corp and the Majestic Theatre - the major sponsors - the orchestra and chorus are making their first visit to China and are attaching great significance to the tour. "They have chosen the best line-up for the Chinese trip," the sponsors said

　　The performances will feature soloists Soumaya Hallak, soprano, mezzo-soprano Katia Baltera Cravetti, tenor Laurent Schutzle and bass-baritone Giampiero.

　　A performance highlight will be Mozart's Great Mass in C Minor.

　　7:15pm, April 18

　　Shanghai Majestic Theatre

　　66 Jiangning Lu