The tour marks the 35^th anniversary of the Orchestra’s historic 1973 trip to China, when it became the first American orchestra to perform in the People’s Republic of China, marking the renewal of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China. In 1973, with its extraordinary art skills and magnificent power, The Philadelphia Orchestra premiered its “Sound of Philadelphia” at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities and exerted great impact on the normalization of Sino-US relations.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2008 Anniversary Tour of Asia is part of the Beijing Music Festival. The anniversary of the Orchestra’s first visit to China in 1973 will be celebrated by Festival organizers with a gala concert and dinner in Beijing on June 2, organized on behalf of the China International Friendship Association. AstraZeneca is presenting sponsor of the 2008 Anniversary Tour. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides lead support.

The 35^th Anniversary Gala will take place once again at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing today. The Philadelphia Orchestra under the leadership of Music Director Christoph Eschenbach will perform Beethoven. Joining the Orchestra for four concerts in China is renowned pianist Lang Lang, who performs the Grieg Piano Concerto. Concerts will be held in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai starting today through Sunday, June 8, 2008.

“Alcoa is honored to collaborate with the China Association for International Friendly Contact, Beijing Music Festival Arts Foundation and of course our long-time partners at Chinalco to organize this gala. Alcoa is proud to help audiences from all over the world enjoy this music and help further promote bilateral communication and cooperation between China and the U.S.,” said Alcoa President and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld.

In addition to Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation’s support of the event Alcoa Foundation will sponsor outreach activities The Philadelphia Orchestra plans to undertake during its tour in Asia.

In 1973 The Philadelphia Orchestra, under Eugene Ormandy’s direction, became the first American orchestra to perform in the People’s Republic of China in Beijing (then known as Peking), at the special request of President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger. Ten musicians of the Orchestra who were on the 1973 trip return to China on the tour.

Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. It is the largest foreign investor in the aluminum industry in China and is the strategic cooperation partner with Chinalco. Alcoa actively promotes sustainabl