The orchestra will stage 50 performances at the center during the 2006-07 season. Xu Zhong, pianist and executive music director of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, told the paper, "We will try to keep the ticket price no higher than 280 yuan ($35) and sell 5 percent of tickets for every performance at only 30 yuan to elderly people, students and the disabled."

The orchestra will host events including the Shanghai International Piano Competition and master classes. Lin Hongming, general manager of the arts center, told the Daily, "Having a resident orchestra will further build up our reputation as a venue for symphony music."

The $120-million, 1,953-seat Shanghai Oriental Arts Center opened in December 2004. The venue was designed by French architect Paul Andrea and has been described as resembling a butterfly and an orchid. Five segments contain the main entrance, the concert hall, a 1,020-seat opera house, a 333-seat auditorium, and an exhibition space.