Hit week

The Italian music festival Hit Week will come to Shanghai on June 4, bringing top Italian rock music to China. The show features three leading Italian rock bands - Subsonica, Negrita and La Fame di Camilla; as well as influential Chinese rockers, Shan Ren and Zhou Yunshan and Ruins.

8 pm, June 4. Mao Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nanlu, Shanghai. 021-6445-0086.

History in the making

Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the top five orchestras in the US and in the world's top 10, is revisiting China on June 5 after its debut in China 40 years ago.

At its performance in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, the orchestra will introduce the charm of contemporary symphony works to the audience. The orchestra is acclaimed as the best interpreter of Soviet Russian composer Shostakovich's works. Shostakovich's No 5 symphony is on the playlist of the orchestra's Guangzhou show.

Throughout Philadelphia Orchestra's 112-year-long history, it has partnered with numerous famous conductors, including the current principal conductor, Charles Dutoit. Dutoit is known for his vigorous style on stage that makes the music refreshing and youthful.

8 pm, June 5. Opera Hall of Guangzhou Opera House, Exit B1 of Zhujiang New Town subway station, the interchange of subway line 3 and line 5, Guangzhou. 020-3839-2888.

Music at the fingertips

Listen to Chang Jing, one of the best young guzheng players in China, who will be playing in Shanghai for one-night only. Chang interprets the sound of the guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither, with her own graceful style. She founded her band of four music instruments namely guzheng, violin, piano and percussion in 2010 and played in Kunqu opera.

7:30 pm, June 16. Concert Hall, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu, Shanghai. 021-6854-1234.