On Feb 10th, 2009, the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays its first concerts in Shanghai Grand Theatre. For Chinese music lovers, the reputation of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, one of the "Big Five" American orchestras, came only from its flawless recordings. Now they finally had a chance to enjoy the on-site performance of the famous orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink, in the two Shanghai concerts on Feb 10th and 11th as part of its 2009 Asian Tour.

The Feb 11th concert also saw attendance of Shanghai Government officials and local corporate sponsors for Special Olympics who were specially invited by John and Mary Manley, long-term supporters for Special Olympics who are also one of the tour’s sponsors in thanks to their efforts that made the 2007 Special Olympics World Games such a success. The honored guests attending the concert and a reception afterwards included Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng, former Vice-Mayor and current vice-chair of the Chinese People's Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee Zhou Taitong, Director General of Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau Ma Yili, and representatives from corporations. Local Special Olympics athletes Xu Chuang and Qiao Meili and their parents also attended the concert.

 

Ms. Ma Yili, Director General of Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau and other leaders

with John and Mary Manley

 

SO Athletes Xu Chuang and Qiao Meili and their mothers with John and Mary Manley

As noted by one Special Olympics athlete, in a World that can be polarized, Special Olympics, like great music, brings people together. They can create meanings and feelings far beyond the capacity of mere words. Special Olympics changes the lives of its athletes around the world. But equally certainly, our athletes bring together and change the lives of those who learn to know them.