The China National Symphony Orchestra will stage its 2012-13 season's opening concert in Beijing.

The star-studded gala will have musicians from home and abroad, including famous French conductor Michel Plasson and pipe organ player Shen Fanxiu. Shen will play French composer and organist Camille Saint-Saens' classical work, Symphony No 3 (Organ Symphony). Saint-Saens composed the symphony in 1886, which was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society in Britain and was first performed in London.

7:30 pm, Aug 17. Concert Hall, National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.