British light music orchestra Mantovani and His Orchestra will perform in Shenzhen next month.

Conductor, composer, violinist and pianist Annunzio Paolo Mantovani (1905-1980) was one of the most popular and prolific easy listening artists of all time. His trademark "cascading strings" effect gave him an instantly recognizable sound, and his heavy reliance on the string section in general helped map out the blueprint for much of the light orchestral music that followed in his wake.

His repertoire did feature original compositions, but was built chiefly on lush adaptations of familiar melodies: TV and movie themes, show tunes, pop hits and classical material.

In 1931 he made the difficult decision to abandon his soloist's career in favor of conducting and then founding his first orchestra, the Tipica Orchestra. With this group he performed regularly in radio broadcasts and in 1932 began making recordings. Several were hits in England and the United States, including the 1936"Serenade to the Night."

In 1937, Columbia Records billed the performers as Mantovani and His Orchestra, and the name has been used ever since. Mantovani and his ensemble grew in popularity in the 1940s, not least because the conductor dabbled in many successful theater productions on the side.

After 1973, Mantovani's popularity declined, but he remained active for several years in composition.

Time: 8 p.m., Feb. 10

Venue: Citizens'Center

Add: Fuzhong Road 3, Futian District

Buses: 15, 35, 105, 107, 221, 232, 234, 235, 236, 244, 311, 373, 374, 371, 391

Metro: Shi Min Zhong Xin Station (Citizens'Center Station), Exit B

Tickets: 180/280/480/680/880/1,280 yuan

Reservations: 11185

Editor: Wing