More than 30 years after her debut at 13, Anoushka Shankar made her Beijing debut on 14 October 2026, at the Poly Theatre, as part of the 29th Beijing Music Festival. The concert opened her tour of China.
She came with a small band of friends: clarinet, double bass and percussion around her sitar. Most of the programme was her own music, which moves between Indian classical forms, contemporary composition and improvisation, and the mood of the evening swung from calm to fiery.
Which Ravi Shankar piece did Anoushka Shankar play?
Anoushka Shankar included one piece by her father, Ravi Shankar, in the Beijing programme: “Fire Night”. It was the only work of the evening not written by her, and she played it as a tribute to the sitarist whose tours from the 1950s onwards first carried Indian classical music to listeners around the world.
A festival built around Mozart, with room for the sitar
The Beijing Music Festival, which ran from 9 to 20 October 2026, was the country’s first international classical music festival when it began. This year it marked Mozart’s 270th birth anniversary, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in residence and a new production of The Magic Flute. Anoushka Shankar appeared in its Future Tradition series, the part of the programme set aside for world music and new crossings between traditions.
From Beijing the tour went on to Shanghai on 16 October, and to Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou on 18 October.
Where can you hear Anoushka Shankar next?
Anoushka Shankar is touring through the season. Our listing for her Chapters Tour 2026 has more of her dates. For another Indian instrument heard on the world stage, read about the Gajveena, where a double bass meets the rudra veena, follow more On Stage news, and find every upcoming listing on News & Concerts.
Sources: CGTN, on the Beijing concert and tour (17 October 2026); Beijing Municipal Government, festival preview (25 August 2026); SmartShanghai, Shanghai concert listing (16 October 2026)