By Zhang Wenyu

On the evening of July 27th, the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, led by young conductor Yu Ji, captivated the audience at the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy. Their performance, featuring pipa player Yu Yuanchun, marked the beginning of their European tour.

The Italian audience responded with great enthusiasm, particularly for Yu's rendition of Tan Dun's Pipa Concerto. The performance highlighted the unique charm of the pipa, a traditional Chinese instrument, and sparked a keen interest in Chinese music culture among the local audience.

Massimo Mercelli, the artistic director and founder of the Emilia Romagna Festival, praised the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra's performance. In an interview, Mercelli, a renowned flutist, expressed his honor in having performed with the orchestra in April.

"I was captivated by their performance, and I believe we delivered an exceptional show to the audience together," said Mercelli.

On the evening of April 13th this year, Massimo Mercelli and the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra performed a woodwind-focused concert at the Ningbo Concert Hall. Mercelli noted that the orchestra's skill level is on par with European orchestras. "When we played together, the orchestra's response made me feel at ease and fulfilled, exactly the experience I had hoped for," he added.

The performance left a lasting impression on Mercelli, leading to his invitation for the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra to participate in the Emilia Romagna Art Festival. As one of Italy's premier music festivals, the Emilia Romagna Festival spans multiple cities and attracts numerous internationally renowned artists and musical groups each year.

Mercelli states that the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra's presence added a strong Chinese element to the Festival, providing a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange between China and Europe.