Wuxi marks New Year with cross-cultural symphonic celebration

A highlight of the night was the orchestral adaptation of a classic scene from the local Xiju Opera The Butterfly Lovers: Sworn Brotherhood at the Grass Bridge. Arranged by the orchestra's music advisor Li Shaosheng and performed by celebrated Xiju artists Cai Yu and Wang Ziyu, the piece showed how tradition can find new life on the contemporary stage.

The Wuxi Symphony Orchestra has grown rapidly since it was founded in June 2023, presenting more than 100 performances in just over two years. Its growing artistic footprint includes collaborations with leading figures such as Chen Xieyang, Tang Muhai, Denis Matsuev and Lang Lang, as well as world-renowned ensembles such as the Russian National Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra of the United States.

Located in the Wuxi National Hi-Tech District, the Wuxi Symphony Hall is a new cultural landmark for the city. The complex includes a 1,500-seat main concert hall, a 500-seat multipurpose venue, an arts exchange center and a retail zone.