Face with Tears of Joy: A Natural History of Emoji
Supplied/W.N.Norton
Emojis are the world's newest language - but where did they come from, where are they going, and what do they mean?
We are surrounded by emoji. They appear in politics, movies, drug deals, and even our sex lives.
In his new book
Face with Tears of Joy: A Natural History of Emoji
writer Keith Houston explores the history of the emoji from its birth in 1990s Japan, through to the Western explosion in the 2000s.
Keith Houston is an author of several books about punctuation and the founder of the blog Shady Characters. He joins Susie to explain the ever-expanding emoji lexicon.
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Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's Landmark 2026 Tour Of New Zealand, Australia And Singapore
Press Release – 818. In a historic collaboration of Eastern and Western traditions, China's pioneering Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is set to tour New Zealand, Australia and Singapore in March. The Orchestra will be led by its renowned Music Director, Long Yu – hailed by The New York Times as 'the most powerful figure in China's classical music scene.' Founded in 1879, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Asia's oldest orchestra and a driving force in shaping China's classical music landscape across three centuries. It is internationally recognised for its performance on the Oscar and Grammy-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack – a landmark moment in Chinese musical history. The Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival. The 2026 tour features works by two of China's most prominent contemporary composers: Elliot Leung, the youngest-ever recipient of the 2023 Huabiao Award for Outstanding Composer, and Qigang Chen, praised by The Guardian for achieving a 'sustained dialogue between Chinese and Western classical and cultural traditions.' These are presented alongside works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, performed by celebrated soloists Jian Wang (cello) and Serena Wang (piano), who makes her Australasian debut. A vibrant centrepiece of the program is Leung's Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours – an evocative ten-movement suite, with each piece inspired by a traditional Chinese dish. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Long Yu said: 'It is an honour to be embarking on this special tour with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in March 2026. As Asia's oldest symphony orchestra, SSO has undertaken many important international tours throughout its 146 year history. This tour marks the Orchestra's return to Australia and New Zealand, in addition to its Singapore debut. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and we are glad to be sharing the stage with two internationally-acclaimed Chinese musicians for this tour – cellist Jian Wang and pianist Serena Wang – to perform a programme of Chinese and Western music. We are particularly looking forward to introducing audiences to Elliot Leung's symphonic suite 'Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' – a work commissioned and premiered by SSO last year – in addition to Qigang Chen's piano concerto 'Er Huang', as they celebrate the profound depth of Chinese culture.' Bernie Haldane, Kaitohu Toi Artistic Director, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival said: 'We are honoured to welcome the world-renowned Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to Tāmaki Makaurau for this special New Zealand exclusive, in partnership with our esteemed colleagues in Australia and Singapore. This marks the first time in more than 25 years that an international symphony orchestra will perform in our city — a momentous occasion for our audiences and arts community. We're especially looking forward to sharing a selection from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours, a piece that reflects Chinese culture through music — a powerful reminder of how music can connect us across borders and traditions.' Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CEO Richard Wigley said: 'The MSO has a long tradition of partnering with our orchestral friends and colleagues in Asia and beyond. It's wonderful to be able to present this tour of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra alongside co-presenters Sydney Opera House, Auckland Arts Festival and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. This will be a truly cross-cultural program showcasing the extraordinary history of Chinese musicians performing eastern and western compositions.' Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: 'At the Sydney Opera House, we believe in the transformative power of creative collaboration. This tour from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is an opportunity to connect more deeply with the community around us and also with our friends across the region. It's been three decades since we've seen these formidable musicians in Sydney, and I'm looking forward to hearing them perform in our upgraded Concert Hall for the first time. Kenneth Kwok, CEO of Singapore Symphony Group said: 'We are delighted to partner the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra on their tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. This collaboration deepens the cultural ties between Singapore and Shanghai – two dynamic global cities with enduring connections. Long Yu has been a long-time friend of the SSO, and we warmly welcome him and the orchestra for their debut performance in Singapore. I look forward to hearing them at the Esplanade Concert Hall.' The tour is organised by the award-winning classical music agency Askonas Holt, who have been bringing the world's greatest orchestras to audiences around the world for decades, and next year celebrate their 150th anniversary.' The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra 2026 Program and Tour AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL The Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall Visit to join the waitlist for access to presale tickets. Thursday 19 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 (soloist: Serena Wang) Friday 20 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 Tickets from $81 + transaction fee, with $20 child tickets available Patrons, Subscribers & Members pre-sale: Tuesday 22 July, 10am AEST Waitlist pre-sale: Thursday 24 July, 10am AEST General Public on sale: Friday 25 July, 10am AEST Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 SINGAPORE Monday 23 March 2026 – Esplanade Concert Hall Tickets from $30 + booking fee Available from 19 September 2025, on
Scoop
16 hours ago
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Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's Landmark 2026 Tour Of New Zealand, Australia And Singapore
In a historic collaboration of Eastern and Western traditions, China's pioneering Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is set to tour New Zealand, Australia and Singapore in March. The Orchestra will be led by its renowned Music Director, Long Yu – hailed by The New York Times as 'the most powerful figure in China's classical music scene.' Founded in 1879, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Asia's oldest orchestra and a driving force in shaping China's classical music landscape across three centuries. It is internationally recognised for its performance on the Oscar and Grammy-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack – a landmark moment in Chinese musical history. The Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival. The 2026 tour features works by two of China's most prominent contemporary composers: Elliot Leung, the youngest-ever recipient of the 2023 Huabiao Award for Outstanding Composer, and Qigang Chen, praised by The Guardian for achieving a 'sustained dialogue between Chinese and Western classical and cultural traditions.' These are presented alongside works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, performed by celebrated soloists Jian Wang (cello) and Serena Wang (piano), who makes her Australasian debut. A vibrant centrepiece of the program is Leung's Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours – an evocative ten-movement suite, with each piece inspired by a traditional Chinese dish. Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Long Yu said: 'It is an honour to be embarking on this special tour with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in March 2026. As Asia's oldest symphony orchestra, SSO has undertaken many important international tours throughout its 146 year history. This tour marks the Orchestra's return to Australia and New Zealand, in addition to its Singapore debut. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and we are glad to be sharing the stage with two internationally-acclaimed Chinese musicians for this tour – cellist Jian Wang and pianist Serena Wang – to perform a programme of Chinese and Western music. We are particularly looking forward to introducing audiences to Elliot Leung's symphonic suite 'Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' - a work commissioned and premiered by SSO last year - in addition to Qigang Chen's piano concerto 'Er Huang', as they celebrate the profound depth of Chinese culture." Bernie Haldane, Kaitohu Toi Artistic Director, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival said: "We are honoured to welcome the world-renowned Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to Tāmaki Makaurau for this special New Zealand exclusive, in partnership with our esteemed colleagues in Australia and Singapore. This marks the first time in more than 25 years that an international symphony orchestra will perform in our city — a momentous occasion for our audiences and arts community. We're especially looking forward to sharing a selection from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours, a piece that reflects Chinese culture through music — a powerful reminder of how music can connect us across borders and traditions." Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CEO Richard Wigley said: 'The MSO has a long tradition of partnering with our orchestral friends and colleagues in Asia and beyond. It's wonderful to be able to present this tour of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra alongside co-presenters Sydney Opera House, Auckland Arts Festival and Singapore Symphony Orchestra. This will be a truly cross-cultural program showcasing the extraordinary history of Chinese musicians performing eastern and western compositions.' Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: 'At the Sydney Opera House, we believe in the transformative power of creative collaboration. This tour from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is an opportunity to connect more deeply with the community around us and also with our friends across the region. It's been three decades since we've seen these formidable musicians in Sydney, and I'm looking forward to hearing them perform in our upgraded Concert Hall for the first time. Kenneth Kwok, CEO of Singapore Symphony Group said: 'We are delighted to partner the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra on their tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. This collaboration deepens the cultural ties between Singapore and Shanghai - two dynamic global cities with enduring connections. Long Yu has been a long-time friend of the SSO, and we warmly welcome him and the orchestra for their debut performance in Singapore. I look forward to hearing them at the Esplanade Concert Hall.' The tour is organised by the award-winning classical music agency Askonas Holt, who have been bringing the world's greatest orchestras to audiences around the world for decades, and next year celebrate their 150th anniversary.' The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra 2026 Program and Tour AUCKLAND ARTS FESTIVAL The Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall Visit to join the waitlist for access to presale tickets. Thursday 19 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 (soloist: Serena Wang) Friday 20 March 2026 Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 MELBOURNE Friday 13 March 2026 – 7.30pm, Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Visit Tickets from $81 + transaction fee, with $20 child tickets available Patrons, Subscribers & Members pre-sale: Tuesday 22 July, 10am AEST Waitlist pre-sale: Thursday 24 July, 10am AEST General Public on sale: Friday 25 July, 10am AEST Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Qigang Chen: Piano Concerto 'Er Huang' (soloist: Serena Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 SYDNEY Sunday 15 March 2026 – Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Visit Tickets from $69 + booking fee Insiders pre-sale: Tuesday 22 July, 9am AEST What's On pre-sale: Wednesday 23 July, 9am AEST General public on sale: Friday 25 July, 9am AEST Elliot Leung: Selections from ' Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours' Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme (soloist: Jian Wang) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 SINGAPORE Monday 23 March 2026 – Esplanade Concert Hall Tickets from $30 + booking fee Available from 19 September 2025, on
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Transported to idyllic world
NZSO principal oboe Robert Orr. PHOTO: SUPPLIED An excited audience packed the King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre on Saturday evening to hear an exceptionally polished performance by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra under the inspirational conductor Benjamin Bayl with guest oboist Robert Orr. Three works from the Western classical repertoire transported the audience to an idyllic world of stability, exuberance and wealth as portrayed by three prodigious composers of the 18th and 19th centuries. The highlight of the event was the Mozart Oboe Concerto given a stunningly beautiful performance by Robert Orr. Orr's exceptional breath control over long lyric phrases held true over increasingly technically demanding solo obligatii. Orr richly deserved the prolonged applause. The reduced orchestration of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749) befits the concert chamber. Composed for extraordinarily large forces as incidental music in the days before loudspeakers were a thing, it invites its audience to celebrate peace by right, royally dancing the night away despite the fizzled fireworks display. Its catchy rhythms, rousing grandeur and the strength of the DSO's wind section created a successful performance. Schubert's 4th Symphony, ''The Tragic'', has a Bryon-esque opening. It wallows in poetic gloom before the following movements emerge grandly frenetic. Reprieve comes in the briefly sweeping menuetto. Schubert is better remembered for his chamber works. The Tragic is built on standard classic composition techniques in which a small amount of thematic material is, to put it simply, echoed down and up the melodic scale through the various timbres of instrumental groups before upping the tempo with inverted thematic material. All credit to all sections of the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and to the conductor for keeping the delivery crisp, energetic and tight while testing stamina. The whole event was a sublime escape, leaving the audience feeling all the richer for the experience.
