Few things are more satisfying than watching an ensemble of world-class professionals make complex music feel effortless.

The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, in its Sydney Opera House debut, does just that. Conducted by Tang Muhai, the finely crafted program sets out to revitalise familiar works from the classical Chinese canon — and succeeds with flair.

Lu Shasha and the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. Photo supplied

The programming is excellently conceived, with a fine balance of contemporary and traditional pieces familiar to many audience members of Chinese descent. Presented by Ausfeng in collaboration with the China Performing Arts Agency, the concert continues the long history of Australia-China musical relations, connecting with the local Chinese community. At the pre-concert reception, Multicultural NSW Chair Simon Chan notes that 1.4 million Australians today claim Chinese heritage.

Jin Kai (xiao) and Zhao Yumeng (dizi), flanking the orchestra from stage left and right, open the concert with Han Wenhe’s Landscape Around the Lake. The composition exhibits elements of diatonic writing and chromatic harmonies, with blissful moments of unison between the bamboo flutes.

Tuned in C to replicate the sound of the guqin, Lu Shasha’s guzheng is a special feature in Spirit...