Emil de Cou is the Associate Conductor of the NSO.

Walking the streets of this lively city you are struck by so many things – first, for me is that Beijing has to be the commerce capitol of the world. If it can be made and sold, it is to be found on any street corner where people congregate.  Our visit to the Great Wall was no exception – souvenir books, postcards, (what appeared to be) Rolex watches, clothes, human (and bear) food, and jewelry is everywhere you go.  Out of our rental cab and up to the Great Wall via a magical (and momentarily) quiet gondola car we go.  And then into the crush of humanity that populate this wonder of the modern world.  The walking was somewhat precarious, since these steps were built for soldiers and not Nike clad tourists.  

Emil de Cou, Associate Conductor NSO, Leif Bjaland, Artistic Director Sarasota Orchestra (FL) on the Great Wall