Festival has something for everyone

The Forbidden City Concert Hall's summer festival Opening Door of the Arts that starts on Friday has a lot on its plate.

There are no big stars, no renowned orchestras, but the month-long festival offers basic programs from Baroque to modern pieces, from recital to chamber and chorus, and from tango to Chinese folk music.

"It seems a trend for festivals or venues to present the world's top orchestras or great conductors to play Beethoven or Tchaikovsky's big symphonies," says Zhang Yingying, principal cello of China National Symphony Orchestra, who will give a recital on July 10.