According to reports from mainland Chinese media, renowned Chinese pianist Li Yundi is set to hold a performance at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre, but the ticket information was deleted shortly after being made public.
On December 5th, online sources indicated that on January 1, 2025, Li Yundi would perform at the Hangzhou Grand Theatre. However, the ticket information was removed after being initially announced to the public.
A poster shared by netizens shows that the performance is titled “Li Yundi Performs Mozart Sonata Plan 1”, scheduled at Hangzhou Grand Theatre Opera House on January 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Ticket prices range from RMB 280, 380, 1280, to 1680.
On the afternoon of December 5th, mainland media reporters scanned the QR code on the poster, leading to ticket purchasing information on the Hangzhou Grand Theatre’s WeChat mini program. The interface indicated that tickets were not yet available for purchase, and the performance is approximately 90 minutes long.
The event introduction mentions Li Yundi will present a musical feast, inviting the audience to embark on a wonderful journey into the new year together. After a hiatus of four years, Li Yundi returns to his roots in the classical music world with Mozart’s works, collaborating with Warner Classics on his latest album, “Li Yundi Mozart Sonata Project – Salzburg.” However, this specific performance was not found in the mini program’s show listing.
On the afternoon of December 5th, customer service personnel at Hangzhou Grand Theatre hotline mentioned that the performance was temporarily off-sale due to schedule reasons, advising to stay tuned for future ticket information. A staff member from the theatre’s performance department stated that, as per a last-minute notice, the show might be postponed due to schedule changes, and the January 1, 2025 event is not confirmed to proceed as planned.
A staff member from Zhejiang Big Boat Culture, one of the organizers of the event, confirmed that there was a plan for the performance, but they were informed at noon on December 5th that it could not proceed due to scheduling issues. Updates will be provided through their official account for future arrangements.
Public records indicate that Chinese pianist Li Yundi, born in 1982 in Chongqing, is renowned for his interpretations and performances of Chopin and Liszt’s repertoire. In recognition of his contributions to Chopin’s works, the Polish government awarded Li Yundi the world’s first Chopin passport.
Additionally, for his contributions to music and Polish culture, Li Yundi was bestowed with the Silver (2010) and Gold (2019) Polish “Gloria Artis” cultural medals, becoming the first Chinese recipient of this honor. In 2010, Li Yundi was invited by the Frederic Chopin Society to perform at the piano solo concert commemorating Chopin’s 200th birthday.
Li Yundi, a multiple award-winning artist, has received support from official institutions such as the Ministry of Culture of the Chinese Communist Party and the China Musicians Association. Starting in 2013, Li Yundi embarked on numerous international tours. He has not only participated in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala multiple times but was also officially arranged to perform “Defend the Yellow River” at the concert marking the 50th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations.
Until 2021, Li Yundi’s public performances in mainland China were prohibited. According to reports from Beijing police, Li Yundi was detained on the evening of October 21, 2021, in Beijing for alleged involvement in soliciting prostitution. The following day, the China Musicians Association announced the decision to revoke Li Yundi’s membership. His Weibo account, which previously mentioned he was a member of the Chongqing CPPCC, national CYLC, and vice chairman of the Hong Kong CYLC, had these affiliations removed.
Furthermore, the China Performing Arts Association released a statement indicating that as a public figure, Li Yundi showed a lack of legal awareness and ethical self-discipline. They called for member units to boycott Li Yundi professionally.
After the downfall of the “Prince of the Piano” Li Yundi’s reputation, his commercial endorsements quickly shifted from being sought after to “avoid at all costs”, with numerous companies swiftly distancing themselves from him.