Started in 2006, this is the 20^th Winland Christmas Gala Concert. The repertoires have covered 98 operas and 21 instrumentals.

Ten years ago, to mark the 40^th anniversary of the Sino-EU diplomatic relations, we curated the work of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Massenet, Wagner and Beethoven. This year marks the 50thanniversary of the Sino-Eu diplomatic relation, And here we are, with music, celebrating its journey of half a century.

This year’s repertoire covers the work by the musicians of Italy, Czech, Germany and Austria. This year is also the 200^th Anniversary of the birth of Johann Strause II, we’ve especially chosen some of his work for this occasion. Tonight’s music ranges from passionate, joyful, animated to profound, philosophical and sacred, a great representative of the diverse cultural characteristics of European operas.

For the last piece, we’ve picked the work of Mahler who pioneered “the audience etiquette for classical concert” and promoted the rule at the Vienna State Opera that “late comers must wait for their entry during the intermission”. He was also called” the contemporary of the future”, Winland also adheres to this principle.

Mahler’s music start slowly, peacefully, profoundly, then rises to a crescendo of brightness, and ends with a grand chorus, an ode to universal love, equity and redemption.

Just as a line in this piece goes, “with wings that I have won for myself, I shall soar away”, this is nirvana. This is the end of the concert but a new beginning for every one of us.

May the magnificent music be an eternal connection between us. Our best wishes to those who, although mired in wars, disasters, and pain, yet still hope for better futures. Merry Christmas and Happy 2026.