Future virtuosos have the chance to conduct members of one of the world's top ensembles as part of the London Symphony Orchestra's tour this month.

As well as performing concerts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the LSO will hold a master class in the capital.

Three students of this master class will be extended the rare opportunity to conduct LSO members, with guidance from conductor Daniel Harding.

Harding, considered one of the brightest in a new set of world-class conductors, shares star billing in the tour with Chinese prodigy pianist Lang Lang.

Lang has gained worldwide respect since becoming the first Chinese pianist engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and several top US orchestras.

Lang is joined in performance by esteemed violinist, Frank Peter Zimmermann.

The concert program includes Mahler's Symphony No 5, Dvorak's Slavonic Dances and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique.

Established in 1905, LSO is one of the top five orchestras in the world and the only British orchestra to hold annual residency at the Lincoln Center in New York.

The LSO's first visit to China in 2003 broke box office records, taking in 1.2 million yuan ($150,000) for a single performance.

Its live orchestral label is one of the best known in the world, regularly ranking No 1 on iTunes' classical downloads charts.

The orchestra's pioneering spirit was strong even in its early years: it was the first British orchestra to travel abroad when it visited Paris in 1906, then the first to visit the United States (1912), Israel (1960) and Japan (1963).

Harding became the youngest conductor at the BBC Promenade Concerts in 1996. Violinist Zimmermann's engagements, both orchestral and recital, have taken him to major concert venues and international music festivals.

The concerts will take place as part of the LSO's Rolls Royce-backed Far Eastern Tour.

The master class is being held in partnership with the Poly Culture and Arts company and the Central Conservatory of Music.

300-2,200 yuan. 7:30pm, April 19, 20. Poly Theater, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie.
Tel: 010-6501-9478.