Khachaturian International Cello Competition Held in Beijing as China Becomes a Core Host

The Khachaturian International Cello Competition opened at the China National Opera House on December 22, bringing young Chinese and international cellists together for artistic exchange and competition.

The opening concert was conducted by Lu Jia, Artistic Director of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, who led the China National Opera House Symphony Orchestra with cellist Christine J. Lee, a professor at the Curtis Institute of Music.

The concert included the China premiere of Khachaturian's Concerto-Rhapsody for Cello, as well as Celebration Overture, an orchestral work by Liu Yunzhi, President of the China National Opera House, violinist, and composer.

The competition is organized in three rounds, with outstanding finalists receiving the opportunity to perform with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra.

As a core international cultural activity under the Art Shijingshan brand, the Khachaturian competition system established a long-term development plan in China after the 2023 violin edition. Since 2024, the youth competition has been held in China every two years, marking China as a core host country for this international music event.

The 22nd cello edition is designed for professional performers and young musicians at an advanced level, extending the Khachaturian platform in China from youth education to the professional stage.

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