The 9th Beijing Music Festival opened Monday evening, with the Grand Opening Concert staged by the famous Russian Mariinsky Orchestra to celebrate the Year of Russia in China.

Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong attended the opening concert conducted by the well-known Valery Gergiev.

The concert began with Dmitri Shostakovich's masterpiece "Festive Overture". The year of 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Russian musician.

More than 150 activities have been held to mark the Year of Russia in China. The activities have greatly promoted the exchanges and the cooperation between the two countries, said Zeng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, when meeting with the orchestra members.

"Russian artists' performances in China have offered great opportunities for Chinese to get a closer look at Russian classical arts," said Zeng, adding that China endeavors to strengthen Sino-Russian friendship and cooperation.

Works from other Russian musicians such as Mikhail Glinka's opera "Ruslan and Ludmilla--Overture" and Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture", were also staged at the concert.

According to the organizer, artists from more than 10 countries such as the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Italy and Austria will stage 26 performances with Chinese artists during the month-long music festival.

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2006)