Classical Notes: Orchestra flies flag in China

The 80-strong orchestra will perform a themed concert next Sunday

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra is Beijing-bound Pic: Barry Cronin

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra will undoubtedly be putting extra zest into its rehearsals this week for a very special end-of-season concert – in Beijing.

The enormous tribute to perform for the first time in China’s most prestigious venue, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, comes by way of world-renowned conductor José Serebrier, one of the most recorded classical artists in history, who has an amazing 46 Grammy nominations to his name.