On March 6, the renowned Mädchenchor Hamburg (Hamburg Girls' Choir) kicked off their first-ever tour of the Chinese mainland with a debut performance at the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong. As one of Europe's most influential female vocal ensembles, this heavenly voice from Northern Germany has long been celebrated for its purity, precision, and emotional qualities that have earned them numerous international accolades.
The Guangzhou concert attracted a diverse audience of music enthusiasts and professionals. The choir presented a sophisticated repertoire spanning German and Austrian classics to contemporary pop, performed in German, English, and Mandarin. However, it was their rendition of the Chinese songs As Wished (《如愿》) and Song of the Parting Son (《游子吟》) that proved to be the emotional heart of the evening.
Gesa Werhahn, the choir's founder and artistic director, noted the effort put into perfecting their Mandarin pronunciation. She said that while they may not fully grasp every word's literal meaning, the emotions are universal, highlighting music's power to transcend linguistic barriers.
The choir, founded in 2003, is more than just a musical group. It is a long-term community where members often train for 10 to 15 years, starting as young as age four. This deep-seated rapport was evident not just on stage, but during their spontaneous cultural interactions. In Guangzhou's Yongqing Fang (永庆坊), the girls held a flash mob performance, singing As Wished around a street grand piano as sunlight filtered through the old alleyways, captivating passersby.
The tour, which continues through Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, and Shanghai, prioritizes deep immersion over simple sightseeing. In Shenzhen, the choir members stepped into local classrooms to attend art and PE sessions alongside Chinese students. "This is far more meaningful than being a tourist," Werhahn reflected, noting that the girls were particularly moved by the discipline and focus of their Chinese peers. In several cities, the tour also features collaborative performances with local youth choirs, fostering a "dialogue of souls" between the next generation of Germans and Chinese.
Werhahn also expressed her amazement at Guangdong's rapid modernization, describing the bus ride from Shenzhen to Guangzhou as a journey into the future, punctuated by massive stadiums and soaring skyscrapers.
The resonance of music extends far beyond the stage. As Werhahn remarked, "We have come here to engage in as much exchange as possible." Since the launch of the "Global Youth Visit Guangzhou" initiative last year, an increasing number of international youth have arrived in the city. They have explored local enterprises, traditional alleys, and joined in face-to-face dialogues with residents. They have experienced the city with their hearts and documented it through their lenses. Through their eyes and voices, Guangdong province, which is open, inclusive, and a blend of the ancient and the modern, is helping the world better understand China.
Author: Dong Han
Photo: Nanfang Plus
