Memorial concert honoring Shirley Young held in Shanghai

A memorial concert for Madame Shirley Young took place at Shangyin Opera House in Shanghai on May 25, starring leading artists in China's contemporary music and performing arts sector.

The concert, Time & Vision: Shirley Young Memorial Concert, served as a fitting tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of Young, a trailblazing Chinese American figure who left an indelible mark on the realms of business and cultural exchange.

Young, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 85, was a former vice president of General Motors and a pivotal figure in shaping the American company's China strategy. Beyond her corporate achievements, she was a fervent advocate for fostering cultural ties between the United States and China, championing initiatives that promoted mutual understanding and appreciation between the two nations.

The memorial concert featured a lineup of stellar talents, with Liao Changyong, the president of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, serving as the chief director, and Tan Dun, the renowned composer, assuming the role of artistic director.

Young dedicated the last 30 years of her life to building bridges of cultural understanding between the US and China. She facilitated China tours by world-renowned artists and companies such as violinist Itzhak Perlman, conductor John Nelson, and soprano Renee Fleming. She also helped provide support to Chinese artists such as Liao and Tan, Lang Lang the pianist, Shen Yang the bass-baritone, Huang Ying, the soprano and Huang Doudou the dancer, helping them garner international acclaim and recognition on the global stage.