The Shanghai Ballet Orchestra was established in 1958, drawing on former students of major Chinese conservatories to form an ensemble of sixty players. In the 1960s the orchestra, under well known conductors such as Fan Chengwu and Chen Xieyang, performed popular revolutionary ballets and stage-works such as The White-haired Girl, The Red Detachment of Women and The Thunderstorm. More recent performances have included Swan Lake and Don Quixote. The orchestra gives regular concerts of Western classical repertoire under its own conductors and under the direction of distinguished guest conductors.
