A concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Shanghai Light Music Orchestra will take place at the AIA Grand Theater in North Bund on Saturday.

The concert will trace Chinese pop music's evolution over four decades with the orchestra. The evening will feature rare archival footage from its early days, a nostalgic celebration of beloved hits, and heartfelt reflections on its performances in China's border regions.

Founded in 1986, the orchestra is China's only state-owned professional pop music ensemble. Renowned soprano Zhu Fengbo served as its founding director.

Starting with just 150,000 yuan (US$22,486) in funding, the orchestra initially had no dedicated rehearsal or office space, relying on a borrowed 40-square-meter room to store equipment and hold meetings.

Despite its modest origins, the orchestra made a remarkable debut with its concert "Spring Everywhere" at the 12th Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, marking the start of its groundbreaking exploration of professional light music in China.

As pop music from Hong Kong and Taiwan was entering the Chinese mainland and domestic pop music was still in its infancy, the orchestra led the way in blending electronic instruments with traditional Chinese and orchestral music in the mid-to-late 1980s.

The orchestra has explored new possibilities through cross-disciplinary collaborations combining light music with Kunqu Opera, cultural tourism and technology, while placing greater emphasis on original music. These efforts have resulted in a growing repertoire of original works that reflect Shanghai's cultural identity and the spirit of the times.

The concert will feature a star-studded lineup of guest performers spanning several generations, including Shen Xiaocen, Zhou Bingqian and Dong Shiyun. Singer-songwriter Li Quan will join Li Xiaochuan, one of China's leading contemporary jazz trumpeters, to perform the classic pop "I Want Us to Be Together."

Iconic Shanghai-style hits, such as early classics "Drizzle" and "The Wandering Songstress," the internationally acclaimed "Rose, Rose, I Love You," and the famous "Love Is Blue," will be brought together in an instrumental medley.

Singing excerpts from the ballet "The White-Haired Girl" and "Memory" from the musical "Cats" will also weave together the musical memories of generations.

If you go

Date: November 14, 7:30pm

Venue: AIA Grand Theater 北外滩友邦大剧院

Address: 889 Dongdaming Rd 东大名路889号

Tickets: 80-680 yuan