CHICAGO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Symphony Center announced on Thursday that it is scheduled to host its 6th annual Chinese New Year celebration concert on Jan. 26, 2020, to ring in the 2020 Chinese Lunar New Year.

Addressing at a kick-off ceremony, Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian said that Chinese Lunar New Year is an important event for Chinese people. "It demonstrates Chinese people's hard work as well as their hope for new year."

The concert will be a performance by Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and Zhejiang Shaoju Opera Theater.

In the first half of the concert, Shanghai Chinese Orchestra will present their widely-acclaimed "New Oriental Music Scene," as well as original compositions and new adaptations of pieces that embody the legacy of Chinese national music, including "Dancing Birds," "The Silk Road" and "Farewell to My Concubine."

In the second half of the concert, Zhejiang Shaoju Opera Theatre will present scenes from the Shaoju opera repertoire including instrumental music, vocal performance, mime, face changing, dance and acrobatics.

Shaoju is an operatic tradition developed during the late 19th century in China's Zhejiang province, and is characterized by exaggerated singing and mimicry, colorful costumes with full makeup and forceful music.

David Whitaker, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Choose Chicago, said that the performance is "an incredibly unique way to experience first-hand traditional Chinese culture."

The Chicago Symphony Center hosts some 400 events every year, and "Chinese New Year celebration concert will be a highlight in all our events," said Jeff Alexander, president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.

The Chinese New Year Celebration concert will be part of Chicago's multi-week calendar of activities to mark this traditional Chinese festive season, which starts on Jan. 25, 2020.