Our Collaborations with Music and Theatre Groups
Cam Rivers Publishing & Arts has had a long-standing interest in music and theatre. We collaborate with musicians and artists from the United Kingdom as well as China to produce original, often multi-lingual music. We organise performances in both countries, and we collaborate with well-known groups such as the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, the Choir of King’s College, composers John Rutter, Tim Brown, Stef Conner, vocalists Mary-Jess Leaverland and Wang Bo, artistic director David Crilly, award-winning classical producer and editor Simon Kiln and pipa player Zhao Cong, among others.
Some examples of our projects in the fields of music and theatre include:
2023: Director’s Tour of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival
Dr. David Crilly, the respected leader of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, recently went on an exciting trip to China. He loves Shakespeare's plays and wanted to share that passion in China. During his visit, Dr. Crilly had meaningful talks with local artists and scholars about why Shakespeare's stories are still important today. He also worked with Chinese theatre groups and joined workshops to connect the two theatre traditions. This helped make a lasting impact on the worldwide performing arts scene.
2019: The First Tour of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival to China
The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival's first tour to China marked a milestone, showcasing Shakespeare's global appeal. Audiences enjoyed the magic of his plays in Chinese settings, bridging cultures and fostering appreciation for universal themes. The tour proved live theater's enduring power to connect people worldwide.
2018: The First Tour of the King’s Men in China
The King's Men's first China tour was transformative. Their Western a cappella music fused with Chinese culture, capturing audiences across the country in historic venues.
2023: Go!, by Stef Conner
For the 2023 Xu Zhimo Poetry and Arts Festival, composer Stef Conner crafted a mesmerizing music score to accompany Xu Zhimo's iconic poem Go!
The score masterfully weaves together traditional and contemporary elements, echoing the poem's themes of freedom, movement, and the passage of time. Conner's composition skillfully captures the essence of Xu Zhimo's words, evoking a sense of urgency and restless energy within the music. The music score adds a new dimension to the timeless verses of Go!, creating a captivating and immersive experience for the festival's audience.
2018: Second Farewell to Cambridge, by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
In the spring of 2018, the Choir of King’s College released its latest music album titled Second Farewell to Cambridge. The album features 19 tracks, including two Chinese songs, namely Second Farewell to Cambridge and Jasmine Flower. This marks the first time in the 500-year history of the choir that Chinese tracks have been included.
Learn more about the album by clicking here.
2021: Leaving, by Mary-Jess Leaverland, Wang Bo and Zhao Cong
Mary-Jess Leaverland, Wang Bo, and Zhao Cong's new single, Leaving, seamlessly blends Western and Chinese music, with Leaverland's emotive vocals, Wang Bo's erhu, and Zhao Cong's pipa creating a profound, nostalgic journey. Mary-Jess is the only British soprano capable of performing an entire show in Mandarin and she draws on her unique set of talents in this collaboration with these renowned Chinese musicians.
2016: The Choir of King’s College China Tour
In 2016, the renowned Choir of King's College embarked on a momentous tour in China, captivating audiences with their ethereal choral performances. As they graced iconic concert halls and majestic cathedrals across the country, their harmonious melodies echoed through the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to witness their unparalleled artistry. The tour not only showcased the splendid vocal talents of the choir but also fostered cultural exchange and goodwill between China and the esteemed institution, leaving an indelible mark on all who experienced the transcendent beauty of their music.