Visitors to the 140th Canton Fair, running from October 15 to November 4, can enjoy a diverse lineup of live performances across Guangzhou. From a Grammy-nominated world music star and a German saxophone quartet to an original West End musical and a pipa recital, these shows offer a taste of the city's arts scene.
Anoushka Shankar brings world music to Guangzhou
Sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar will perform at Xinghai Concert Hall on October 18 at 8 p.m., as part of the 2026 Guangzhou Jazz Season. A 14-time Grammy nominee, Shankar is known for blending Indian classical music with contemporary sounds. She will be joined by clarinettist and keyboardist Arun Kumar Ghosh, double bassist Thomas Walter Farmer and drummer and percussionist Sarathy Ashok Korwar. Tickets are priced at 280–1,080 yuan.
German saxophone quartet bridges musical eras
FUKIO Saxophone Quartet will take the stage at Guangzhou Opera House's Experimental Theatre on October 25 at 3 p.m. Founded in Germany in 2008, the ensemble will perform works spanning several centuries, including music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Jean-Baptiste Singelée and Felix Mendelssohn. The concert lasts approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute interval. Tickets are priced at 180 yuan.
Pipa recital showcases Chinese musical traditions
Pipa performer Li Jiangzhizi will present a solo recital at Xinghai Concert Hall's Chamber Hall on October 28 at 8 p.m. The programme features works including Ambush from Ten Sides, The Moon over the River on a Spring Night and New Scene in Dunhuang, showcasing the expressive range of the traditional Chinese plucked instrument. The recital features the Guangdong National Orchestra. Tickets are priced at 99 yuan.
Original West End musical SIX takes the stage
The original musical SIX, created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, runs at Guangzhou Opera House from October 15 to 25. Reimagining the six wives of Henry VIII as pop stars, the show combines history with pop-rock music and a contemporary perspective on women's stories. Since its UK debut in 2017, it has won 35 theatre awards, including two Tony Awards. Performances last 80 minutes without an interval, with tickets priced at 166–866 yuan.
Performance schedules, programmes and ticket availability may change. Check the venues' official websites for the latest details. Scan the QR codes to purchase tickets.
Author | Liu Lingzhi
Photos | Xinghai Concert Hall, Guangzhou Opera House
