Shanghai, China (January 4, 2008) /China Newswire/ — Le Royal Méridien Shanghai was the official hotel of world-class Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's members and world's greatest conductor, Zubin Mehta during their recent visit in the city.

While in Shanghai, conductor Mr. Zubin Mehta will conduct the new year concert in Shanghai Grand Theatre on December 29, 2007. Mehta has previously staged two concerts in Shanghai. Shanghai's booming art market and surging demand for art are the main attractions for overseas master musicians, officials pointed out.

Mr. Akram Touma (left), General Manager of 770-room Le Royal Méridien Shanghai warmly welcomed Mr. Zubin Mehta (right) upon his arrival from the airport.

Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta, one of the world's greatest conductors, is a Parsee, whose Zoroastrian ancestors took refuge in India after the Muslim conquest of Persia more than a millennium ago. He has been the conductor of the Israel Philharmonic since 1991. Before that, he led the New York Philharmonic (1978-91), the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1962-78) and the Montreal Symphony (1961-67).

His musical career has been a long series of "firsts." He was the youngest man to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic, the youngest to become music director of a major American orchestra, the first and, so far, the only music director of the Israel Philharmonic. His debut in London, on the night of Sir Thomas Beecham's death, was the first time any person from the former dominion of India had appeared with a major British orchestra.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Bronislaw Huberman in 1936. Huberman was a Zionist and founded the orchestra in order to save Jewish musicians in Europe from the Holocaust, which he foresaw. The inaugural concert, on December 26th 1936, was conducted by the legendary Arturo Toscanini to great acclaim, with the "Palestine Orchestra", as it was then known, being characterised as "an orchestra of soloists". With Israel's independence in 1948 it was renamed "The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra". It is now considered "one of the ten best orchestras in the world today".

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Le Royal Méridien Shanghai
Located in 789 Nanjing Road East, Le Royal Méridien is in the centre of Shanghai. The tallest landmark building in Shanghai Puxi with an ultra modern design, the location of Le Royal Méridien is second to none. Stylish and sophisticated, the five-star deluxe Le Royal Méridien Shanghai has the best facilities in Shanghai. 770 luxurious guest rooms and suites that showcase views of the mighty Huangpu River, People's Square, or the Shanghai skyline. With 10 exciting restaurants and bars, 2,000 square meters of meeting space, two naturally lit Grand Ballrooms and numerous breakout rooms; the hotel offers facilities unmatched by any other.

Le Méridien
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, with its portfolio of more than 120 luxury and upscale hotels in 52 countries worldwide, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The majority of Le Méridien properties are located in the world's top cities and resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. In the 2005 Luxury Brand Status Index survey Le Méridien was recognised as one of the top 15 luxury hotel brands. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM and ELEMENTSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

  • Yvonne Yan (Ms.)
    Marketing Communications Manager
    Le Royal Méridien Shanghai
    Tel: +86(21) 3318 9999 ext. 8072
    Fax: +86(21) 6361 3388
    Email: yvonne.yanwen@lemeridien.com

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