India, Sept. 13 -- M umbai's Western classical music calendar is set to get an international addition soon. On September 15, the New Chamber St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra will make its Mumbai and India debut at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). The programme will mark the 120th birth anniversary of renowned Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. His works will be presented alongside compositions by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and other artists who defined the sounds of the country's classical tradition. The new orchestra, founded in 2020 by principal conductor Yaroslav Zaboyarkin with the support of the late Russian maestro Yuri Temirkanov, features accomplished young musicians and members of the celebrated St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. The ensemble has earlier performed at leading festivals, world and Russian premieres, and cultural exchange projects, including its 2025 debut at Tehran's Vahdat Hall. Looking forward to the Mumbai performance, Yaroslav shares, "I see performances like this as an opportunity to deepen the musical and cultural dialogue between India and Russia. For me, the goal of any cultural exchange is spiritual mutual enrichment and a deeper understanding between people," adding, "I hope our concerts will spark interest among classical music enthusiasts and among those who have chosen to devote themselves professionally to this beautiful calling." The New Chamber St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at NCPA's Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA at 7pm. The tour's general partner, VTB Bank, has its own India connection. VTB was the first Russian bank to establish operations in India, opening a representative office in New Delhi in 2005 before receiving a full banking licence from the Reserve Bank of India in 2008.HTC...