The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra staged a concert last night at the Shanghai Grand Theater to raise money for earthquake victims in Sichuan Province.

Even before the concert, the orchestra yesterday transferred all the proceeds of 65,000 yuan (US$9,286) from the event to the Shanghai Charity Foundation.

"Musicians will perform without payment," said Wang Fujian, the orchestra leader.

The orchestra arranged a special program for the concert.

"We added the Erhu concerto 'The Great Wall Capriccio,' the girl's song 'We are together' and the woman's song 'My Motherland' to the repertoire to praise the rescue heroes and the Chinese spirit," Wang said.

The Shanghai Concert Hall also donated box office income of 30,000 yuan to the Sichuan people. The world famous Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman, who will play at the Shanghai Concert Hall on Monday, has also offered his condolences for quake victims.

He will lead the audience at his recital in a minute's silence to pray for the quake victims.